Analyst poses season-altering question to Steelers

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most head-scratching franchises to watch this offseason, and that is due to their approach at quarterback.

With Aaron Rodgers not yet deciding on his future, the franchise is fine with playing the waiting game at the position, with only Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as the alternatives.

This is a chance for the Steelers to buck the trend over the past decade, for better or worse, yet it feels like Pittsburgh will go around one more time in this odd cycle.

And for NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha, he poses the ultimate question to Steelers fans.

"Is Aaron Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh? The Steelers are doing a lot of things to indicate that the 42-year-old Rodgers is expected to be their quarterback, even though he's once again taking his time deciding on his future," Chadiha wrote.

"There might be enough positives still in the building to bring him back for a 22nd season, even with Pittsburgh needing to find a younger quarterback to be the future of this franchise."

More: Vikings hoping lightning strikes twice at QB

Should Steelers wait for Rodgers?

It depends on what you want out of the 2026 season.

Do you want to run it back with Rodgers, win possibly nine games, sneak into the playoffs, and get bounced straight away?

Or do you want to go younger at quarterback and potentially have your first losing season in two decades, but you potentially get a top draft pick to help reset the roster?

I can see it both ways for Steelers fans, so that makes the next few months fascinating viewing.

Will Rodgers return? That is the season-altering question Pittsburgh wants to know.

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