PITTSBURGH — It could be about a month from beginning to end, from the time reports emerged regarding real Steelers interest in Aaron Rodgers to ... for the love of all things holy, please let this saga end this week.

Yeah, it's felt much, much longer.

One way or another, this needs to be done — and a potentially important inflection point arrives Wednesday in the form of Pat McAfee's Big Night AHT at PPG Paints Arena.

Rodgers and McAfee are obviously friends. The veteran quarterback announcing his decision as part of the event would not surprise me, although for fairly obvious reasons, I hope that doesn't happen.

Bottom line, with (hopefully) some end in sight to this madness, there are several outcomes or storylines worth considering.

What if he signs?

If Rodgers needed more time because he's wired differently, wanted to ensure he had the mental and physical desire to do this or felt like disappearing and taking a contemplative stroll on a Malibu beach, whatever.

On some levels, maybe it makes sense. Some of us like to ruminate longer than others. The NFL isn't easy. He doesn't want to shortchange anyone. Something like that.

I don't love the drama, believe me, but it's nothing compared to the alternative: announcing a contract with the Steelers as part of McAfee's special.

No way.

The Steelers have shown a tremendous amount of patience here. Too much, many would argue. And they're probably right.

Then Rodgers repays them by turning this into a publicity stunt?

I'd hate it. Guessing you would, too. Don't turn this into any more of a circus than it has already become.

It would also set a poor precedent for unnecessary drama, a likely precursor to weekly appearances where Rodgers goes on with McAfee and says ... well, who the heck knows.

But it could be a souped-up version of Ben Roethlisberger's old radio show, and the Steelers in their current state don't need the distraction.

Bottom line, the goals shared by Mike Tomlin and Rodgers and why this could actually work — which I'll address below — should be far more important than any sort of made-for-TV drama.

What if he doesn't?

I'm expecting multiple reactions here.

And few where fans are genuinely dejected if Rodgers chooses retirement or waiting it out for the Vikings/another team in need of a quarterback over the Steelers.

Mason Rudolph would become the guy, at least for now. Maybe they draft a quarterback in the first round. And it would allow them to repurpose a sizable chunk of change into another area of the team.

It would also save us from the drama, although let's be honest here: We all want to see how this plays out. I'm not afraid to admit it. We've spent this much time in the theater. You have to see how the movie ends, right?

But Rodgers spurning the Steelers wouldn't be a great look for them, the same as the four-time NFL MVP announcing a deal with McAfee.

It would come off as a lack of organizational control over the situation and probably further the narrative that the Steelers' mystique is lost.

As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "That's a pretty big matzah ball hanging out there."

Going through all of this — the waiting, the six-hour meeting on March 21, team president Art Rooney II's comments about those "positive sort of signals" and even the throwing session with DK Metcalf — would feel like a lot to suddenly forget and move past.

What if he signs 2.0

There's a strand of logic here that I don't entirely hate. Rodgers and Tomlin are actually similar people in similar situations, NFL greats who've seen their reputations take a hit due to a lack of recent playoff success.

Will joining forces be what the other has needed? No clue at this point, obviously.

But there's an interesting shared motivation here to make it work.

Surrounded by the right team, I also think we saw enough from Rodgers over the final 10 games of last season — 18 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 97.0 passer rating — that he could have something left.

Which is why I don't understand the possibility of the Steelers drafting a quarterback at No. 21 overall.

What if he signs 3.0

If the Steelers ultimately come to terms with the 41-year-old Rodgers, they're making their organizational intentions known in a gigantic way.

It's not about 2026 and beyond. It's 100% about winning now.

Their first-round draft pick should align with that type of thinking, and it needs to include one of the top four interior defensive linemen: Kenneth Grant or Mason Graham from Michigan, Oregon's Derrick Harmon or Walter Nolen out of Ole Miss.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward won't fall to them, and I have my doubts that Colorado's Shedeur Sanders will tumble that far, as well. There's a better chance Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss will be available.

However, if the Steelers are committing $30 million (and maybe more) to Rodgers, that pick must be used to improve this year's team.

If none of the four big guys are available, perhaps the Steelers' shift their focus to a wide receiver (George Pickens' contract will be up after 2025) or a premium running back, leaning into the offense. But that pick can't go toward 2026.

Right or wrong, their bed will be made with Rodgers. The best thing they can do is make it comfortable. I know we're all ready to be done with this for at least a little bit and get some rest.

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