Every January, I'm in Art Rooney's annual session with select reporters, asking questions and attentively documenting his answers.

By every April, it's all a waste of everyone's time.

In the 2024 session, the Steelers' owner had this to say about the team's quarterbacks: "Mason Rudolph came in and showed, I think, what we're capable of when we do get quality play at the quarterback position." And this: "I don’t know that we’ve seen his ceiling yet. We drafted him high for a reason, and it felt like he had a lot of ability, so I think we saw that. He’s probably going to have some options, so it's going to be a question of whether he wants to come back and whether we can make a deal to get him back." And this: "We appreciate what Mason did, and we're interested in bringing Mason back."

Rudolph would, of course, sign with the Titans. And he did so, as he confirmed for me back then, without receiving a single offer from the Steelers.

Was Rooney lying?

No, that's not the man I know. He's a straight shooter. And besides, he has no incentive to lie.

But did he get his way?

Also no. Mike Tomlin did, once he found an old guy with a big name over whom he could get all ga-ga-level starstruck in Russell Wilson.

In the 2025 session a couple months ago, Rooney had this to say about both quarterbacks, Wilson and Justin Fields: He acknowledged that bringing back both was "probably unlikely," adding, "I think they're both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them. So, that'll be the priority and that'll give us the best opportunity to move forward." He went on to say, when asked if it'd be weighed that Fields is 10 years younger than Wilson, "Yeah, I think you have to take that into consideration. That's a factor."

Signing Fields was Rooney's "preference." His term, not mine.

Again, was he lying?

Again, I'll say no.

But did he get his way?

Also no. Tomlin did, once he found another old guy with a big name over whom he could get all ga-ga-level starstruck in Aaron Rodgers.

And funny thing, but there was Rooney completely in line with the Rodgers pursuit in speaking with reporters, including our Chris Halicke, yesterday in Palm Beach, Fla.

Here's the whole thing, for full context:

Not a syllable spoken in there about the "preference" for speed or youth at the position. Just as there'd never be another about blowing off Rudolph. Just as there was never much when he'd clamored for years for an upgraded running game, only to go largely ignored within his own four walls.

Look, I don't want a Jerry Jones. The best owners are the ones who know their place and leave the sports to the sports people. But there's a time and a place to step up, and I dare say the late Dan Rooney would feel those moments as well as any owner I've covered. And I'm referencing so much more than his famously intervening to ensure the Steelers picked Ben Roethlisberger. He kept his space, stayed in his place ... until he didn't.

There are so many reasons this broader storyline doesn't change much. This is a big one.