It looks like it's going to be an off-season of major change for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One day after head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down from his role after 19 consecutive non-losing seasons, Steelers president Art Rooney II met with the media to discuss the news.
Among the topics discussed by Rooney was how Tomlin's departure would impact the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"Aaron came here to play for Mike," Rooney told reporters on Wednesday. "I think it will affect his decision."
Rodgers had hinted at retirement during the season, though he said after the Steelers were eliminated on Monday by the Houston Texans that he was "not going to make any emotional decisions."
The 42-year-old quarterback, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers before this season after two tumultuous campaigns with the lowly New York Jets, was full of praise for Tomlin after Monday's game.
“This league has changed a lot in my 21 years,” Rodgers said. “You know, when you hear conversation about the Mike Tomlins of the world, Matt LaFleurs of the world — those are just two that I've played for — when I first got in the league, there wouldn't be conversation about whether those guys were on the hot seat.”
But with Tomlin announcing his decision to step away one day later, it appears the four-time MVP's time in the Steel City has most likely come to an end.
— With files from the Associated Press
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