Analyst hints at Aaron Rodgers' Steelers future in 2026

The will-he-or-won't-he saga involving Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his future is beginning to get a little tiresome.

Some just want the four-time MVP winner to make up his mind, and the Steelers, it appears, are content with waiting to see what the veteran is going to do in 2026.

Still, the franchise has made some nice moves, with Rico Dowdle, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jaquan Brisker all coming to the Steel City.

The Rodgers situation, though, can either make or break the Steelers in 2026, so it is crucial the franchise finds out sooner rather than later on what his plans are.

But Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano hints that maybe the Steelers already have an inkling as to what Rodgers will do.

"The Steelers have concerns at quarterback, but it seems they’re expecting Aaron Rodgers to return for his age-43 season and his second with the team," Manzano writes. "Pittsburgh likely doesn’t trade for Pittman and splurge for Dean without some kind of reassurance from Rodgers. 

"If Rodgers returns, this offense could get a boost from the arrivals of Pittman and Dowdle, and new coach Mike McCarthy has a reputation for producing prolific offenses."

More: Commanders' free agency shift key to 2026 bounce back

Steelers set to maintain Tomlin record?

Tomlin had 22 straight seasons without a losing record, and some think Mike McCarthy will be the one to break that streak.

But if Rodgers does return, and he has DK Metcalf, Pittman Jr., Dowdle, and Jaylen Warren as his weapons, plus McCarthy's offensive scheme, who knows what 2026 could bring.

Granted, if Rodgers doesn't come back and it is Mason Rudolph or Will Howard, then expectations will be much lower, but either way, Pittsburgh has made some nice moves this offseason.

And they all might be capped off with the return of No.8, which right now, we aren't sure which way it will go.

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