.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Well, this is getting at least a tad worrisome.
The Pittsburgh Steelers still don't know whether Aaron Rodgers is going to retire or instead return to play quarterback for them in the 2026 NFL season.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported this on Monday morning:
"The #Steelers have not received word from Aaron Rodgers on his future and there is no expectation of a final decision prior to the NFL Draft, per me and @TomPelissero. When minicamp begins today under new coach Mike McCarthy, Will Howard will be QB1."
MORE: How Navy star is perfect NFL Draft fit for Steelers
Rodgers is technically a free agent, but it seems at this point the only team he'd continue to play for would be Pittsburgh. It'd be a chance to reunite with McCarthy as well as try to get to the playoffs again after just squeaking in at the end of the 2025 campaign.
Without Rodgers, the Steelers have the aforementioned Howard, who was a sixth-round pick in 2025. He played most of his college career at Kansas State, then transferred to Ohio State for his final season and won a national title.
Along with Howard, the Steelers have reliable backup Mason Rudolph.
Neither of those guys scream that they are starter material, but if Rodgers decides not to show up, Pittsburgh is running out of options.
There is one train of thought that Rodgers is actually setting up to announce his return during the NFL Draft that is being held in Pittsburgh:
Rumors were rampant that Aaron Rodgers would show up during the draft in Pittsburgh and announce his return for 2026. The Steelers seem to be trying to throw water on that. (Or it’s just part of the setup for the big reveal.) pic.twitter.com/Matj6Yn9wj
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 20, 2026MORE: How the NFL Draft impacts Eagles-Patriots A.J. Brown trade rumors
Steelers fans would certainly get fired up if it worked out like that, but it's not a given by any means.
Rodgers took a long time last offseason to determine what he was doing, and the Steelers had backed themselves into a corner but were lucky he chose them in the end.
They're in that same corner. If Rodgers takes a different path this time around, it could make for a rough season in Pittsburgh.
English (US)