In an eerily similar offseason to 2025, the Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers. This time, however, the team did not seem to expect the process to drag on like it has.
While Rodgers went into the 2025 season expecting it to be his last, the aging great changed his tune and has been talking to Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan this offseason. But no deal is in place. The Steelers have also not heard for certain whether Rodgers will indeed return for a 21st season, and the delay is approaching the two-month mark.
The Steelers expected to hear from Rodgers on his future around mid-February, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After nothing emerged, a new loose deadline placed free agency as the next window. When Rodgers did not let his 2025 employer know about his interest in a second season at that point, Art Rooney II pointed to the draft as the next point in which the team expected to find out the future Hall of Famer’s plans.
Rodgers, 42, did not sign with the Steelers until just before mandatory minicamp last year. The quarterback cited personal reasons at the time for the wait. Although Rodgers would seemingly be able to reassimilate into McCarthy’s offense fairly easily — even if the veteran HC has made tweaks since his Green Bay years — Pittsburgh will be hosting the draft and may be in the QB market.
Ty Simpson has come up as a potential Pittsburgh option. It would make sense for the Steelers to strongly consider Simpson at No. 21, seeing as they have not finished below .500 since 2003 and annually lack access to drafts’ top QB prospects, but multiple reports have pointed to the team being more likely to avoid that path. The Steelers passed on Jaxson Dart last year, something the Giants expected when they did not trade in front of them. It was viewed as likely by that point Rodgers would join the then-Mike Tomlin-led team. Tomlin’s presence drove Rodgers to Pittsburgh, and while Rooney expected the HC’s exit to impact the QB’s future with the team, McCarthy being tabbed as the successor pried the door back open.
Kirk Cousins loomed as a possible backup option last year, though the Falcons ended up keeping him out of trades (as they wanted an acquiring team to pick up a large chunk of his 2025 compensation), and Schefter adds the veteran also loomed as the Steelers’ likely fallback option behind Rodgers this offseason. As the Steelers have waited out Rodgers once again, Cousins signed with the Raiders.
Jimmy Garoppolo remains unsigned, as does 2024 Steeler starter Russell Wilson (who hoped to re-sign in 2025 but did not draw much Steelers interest). Beyond that duo, the free agent market consists of backup or third-string options following Cousins’ Las Vegas commitment.
The Steelers will continue to develop 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, and Mason Rudolph has one year remaining on his contract. Based on reporting to date, it would surprise if Rodgers did not reprise his role as Pittsburgh’s starter. Still, the former Packers and Jets starter has gone from being “90% retired” as of winter 2023 to potentially playing four more seasons. That might be a stretch, injecting more risk into the Steelers’ strategy.
The Steelers have their eggs in this basket once again. While that provides a decent indication Rodgers will return, the team passing on Simpson and then seeing a Rodgers retirement commence will create a potentially embarrassing situation.
Steelers, congrats on your “Fell Cor It Again” Award
*For
I can not type
Pull the contract on that egomaniac. Trade out of the first for an extra 1 next season and get a real QB finally.
Who’s giving up next year’s first to move up to 21 in a weak draft?
Lots of poorly run franchises out there. You know that. Pitt has actually fallen into the grouping as well over the past 5-7 years.
I’d bet against it happening. It’s certainly not a predictable plan.
It might not. Not arguing. But Pitt needs to ditch the annual B/U QB plan as a starting QB.
Agreed on that front. I know it’s hard to find a high end QB when you’re always too good to draft early, but half-@ssing the position every year isn’t working either, and sitting around waiting for the tattered remains of Aaron Rodgers isn’t it.
He needs more attention and ego-massaging before he blesses us with his decision.
While ‘tripping’ somewhere around the world.
Cousins would’ve went too Pittsburgh if he wasn’t returning. He’s going to wait until the mandatory meetings again.
Please, if anybody from the Steelers organization that’s reading this post. Please move on from Aaron Rodgers. Nice guy thank you for your service. But we need to start a new regime. Hopefully we give Will Howard, a shot at QB1 Aaron Rodgers best days are behind him. Please I’m begging you. Die hard, Steeler fan.
What a jerk. He’s not helping the Steelers not giving them an answer yet, while they are preparing for the draft.
Aaron Rodgers is not worth waiting for. They should have signed Kirk Cousins but at this point I’d sign Jimmy G. and tell Rodgers he can spend the rest of his life at a darkness retreat.
Why wait just walk away. Wait belay that. Run away don’t walk.
When the universe is giving you a gift, take it!!
No hurry Aaron take your time.
Trade for Derek Carr
The whole world evolves around Rogers. Why do the Steelers tolerate this?
He really thinks he is so important that the whole NFL and its fans can’t move on until we hear if he is going to play. Aaron you’re a full blown narcissistic jerk who should do us all a favor and retire and we will see you in a few years at your Hall of Fame ceremony and not before.
Tell the clown to kick rocks
He should wait until July 30th to one-up Favre & act like an even bigger Diva if they don’t roll out the red carpet for him
Do they not know him? When has he ever made his mind up in mud-February?