Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been making headlines lately due to their reported negotiations for the 2025 NFL season. After being turned down by his former NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer seems to have set his sights on Pittsburgh as his next NFL team. That is, if he decides he wants to play at all.

According to recent reports, Rodgers wants his next team to have a culture like that of the Packers. It appears that two years with the dysfunctional New York Jets have made him more appreciative of what he had going for him in Green Bay.

Other reports state that the former Packers quarterback spent six hours at the Steelers’ team facilities over the weekend, meeting with coaches and the front office in a “get to know you” interaction. Apparently, Pittsburgh has had an offer on the table for Rodgers for the last few weeks.

Former Green Bay Packers Guard Lecitus Smith Has Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers

In a move that likely has nothing to do with the ever-persistent Rodgers rumors, the Steelers have gone out and claimed former Packers offensive guard, Lecitus Smith. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network broke the news on X (formerly Twitter):

Two players the #Patriots cut recently were claimed off waivers today: Guard Lecitus Smith is headed to the #Steelers, while LB Curtis Jacobs joins the #Titans.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 24, 2025

Prior to trading for Rodgers in 2023, the Jets went out and signed wide receiver Allen Lazard and hired Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. After they acquired the four-time NFL MVP, they also added Randall Cobb and Billy Turner. In 2024, New York acquired Davante Adams via trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

But the signing of Smith by the Steelers should not be viewed in the same light as the Jets’ acquiring multiple former Packers.

Smith, a sixth round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, was not even with Green Bay while Rodgers was. The Packers had previously signed him on May 6 of last year. He spent the summer and training camp with Green Bay, but was cut when the roster was trimmed to 53.

The Packers re-signed him to their practice squad immediately, but he was eventually signed away from them by the New England Patriots. He appeared in eight games as a center for New England in 2024, starting one of those contests.

Smith has also spent time on the practice squads of the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. For now, it appears that Pittsburgh claiming him off of waivers is nothing more than a depth move they would have made anyway, even if they were not trying to get Rodgers to sign with them.