3 takeaways from Steelers URFA tender to Aaron Rodgers

News break on Tuesday morning that the Pittsburgh Steelers offered the rare unrestricted free agent tender to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This is a tender only used twice last year and almost never for a quarterback. There's a lot of confusion around what it is exactly and why the Steelers did it and her are our big takeaways from the move.

The Steelers really do want Aaron Rodgers

Some are claiming this move is because the Steelers don't want to sign Rodgers and this is some way to send him packing to another team but it's quite the opposite. This is far more of a direct message to Rodgers that no matter what has happened, they want him back.

But they also want a fallback plan

Having said that, should Rodgers decide not to sign, it does put this move in the comp pick formula thanks to the URFA offer so it's a bit of bookkeeping to be sure they aren't getting nothing out of this if it goes wrong.

It doesn't keep Rogers from signing elsewhere

Between now and July 22, Rodgers can still sign with another team. This does not restrict that. It's not as restrictive as previously reported.

The Steelers had to be worried there was another team

For me, this is a real worry. Obviously, Rodgers can still sign with a different team but this whole move feels like the Steelers showing Rodgers he's still their No. 1 option and a way to subtly encourage him not to look elsewhere.

Locks him in after July 22

Now, if Rodgers doesn't sign anywhere by July 22, the start of training camp, it's basically the Steelers or nothing. He's locked in. So this could at least move up his timeline.

May 18 is still the date but more like June 2

May 18 is the opening of minicamp, and we hope Rodgers is there, but mandatory work starts on June 2, and at this point, this is the earliest we expect to hear anything of substance out of Rodgers about his future plans.