Is Steelers OC Arthur Smith 'excited' to work with Aaron Rodgers after Russell Wilson breakup?

It was suggested ahead of this past weekend that a big reason the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't re-signed quarterback Russell Wilson is that he fell out of favor with "some members of the offensive coaching staff," specifically Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. 

It's now reportedly a "safe bet" that the Steelers ultimately will sign veteran Aaron Rodgers over Wilson at some point this offseason. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Smith would feel working with Rodgers from this spring through at least January 2026.

"The sense that I've gotten is that Arthur Smith is excited to work with Aaron Rodgers," Dulac explained, as shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "[Rodgers] met with [Smith] the other day as well. I was told that visit went very well."

Specifically, Rodgers reportedly spent more than six hours visiting the Steelers on Friday but walked away from that get-together without a signed contract. It's assumed the 41-year-old is still hoping the Minnesota Vikings will allow him to serve as their short-term starter in place of 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, who spent his first NFL regular season recovering from a full meniscus repair.

Before the New York Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2023, the Jets hired Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. Hackett was first Rodgers' OC with the Packers from 2019 through the 2021 season, but there's currently no sign the Steelers will replace Smith or welcome Hackett with open arms. 

Justin Fields helped the 2024 Steelers win four of their first six games as Wilson dealt with a lingering calf problem, but head coach Mike Tomlin nevertheless turned to Wilson in Week 7. That decision seemed like the right one when Pittsburgh began Week 15 at 10-3, but the Steelers then endured a five-game losing streak that lasted through the wild-card round of the postseason tournament. 

It was subsequently reported that "Wilson and Smith did not have a very good working relationship" and that "there was some type of disconnect between the way Wilson wanted to play and the way Smith wanted him to play." It appears Rodgers will have to play how Smith wants later this year. 

"Arthur Smith has controlled the offense," Dulac added about the Steelers, "and they're certainly not gonna turn the offense over to Aaron Rodgers solely."

Until Rodgers signs, it's possible he could retire or receive the call from the Vikings he's been wanting this offseason. As long as Rodgers is good to play under Smith, it sounds like Pittsburgh landing the future Hall of Famer could happen at any time.