Quarterback Aaron Rodgers became a free agent when the Jets released him last March, but finding his next team was a slow process. Retirement was a legitimate option before the future Hall of Famer caught on with the Steelers in the first week of June.
Rodgers’ preference last year was to join the Vikings, but after they didn’t reciprocate, he settled for the Steelers’ one-year, $13.65MM offer. The 42-year-old remained a serviceable starter in Pittsburgh, which he helped to 10 wins and an AFC North title. Longtime head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after an ugly loss to the Texans in the wild-card round, leaving Rodgers’ future up in the air.
For a little while, it seemed likely Rodgers would follow Tomlin out the door and either sign elsewhere as a free agent or retire. Walking away from the team or the game are still possible outcomes, but the Steelers are willing to reunite Rodgers with head coach Mike McCarthy. Rodgers played for McCarthy in Green Bay from 2006-18. The signal-caller won two of his four MVPs and the lone Super Bowl of his career under McCarthy.
Asked about Rodgers on Tuesday, Steelers general manager Omar Khan stated (via Myles Simmons of PFT): “The door’s open to have Aaron back. I’ve had conversations with him — I spoke to him last week. Mike McCarthy’s spoken to him. He knows how we feel about him. Right now, we’re proceeding [as if] he’s a free agent and he’s not on the roster. But, he knows how we feel about him.”
While the Steelers are awaiting an official decision from Rodgers, they “believe” he wants to play a 22nd season in 2026, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. Regardless of whether that proves to be the case, it does not appear Rodgers will leave the Steelers twisting in the wind for an extended period this offseason.
Based on his conversations with Rodgers, Khan said, “I think neither side wants to have this drag on like it did last year.”
Getting an answer sooner than later would be beneficial for the Steelers, who don’t have a clear-cut starting QB option on their roster. Mason Rudolph has not risen above decent backup status in his six-year career, while 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard went through his rookie season without taking a snap.