Steelers owner casts doubt on Aaron Rodgers' future in Pittsburgh

It doesn’t sound like Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II expects quarterback Aaron Rodgers to be back with the team next season following the departure of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin.

Having an opportunity to play for Tomlin was a big part of the draw for Rodgers when it came to signing with the Steelers in the first place. So, his absence will likely have a major impact on Rodgers’ decision-making process this offseason.  

"Look, Aaron came here to play for Mike,” Rooney said in a press conference this week. “So I think it would most likely affect his decision.”

There was already rampant speculation that Rodgers would retire this offseason, though the possibility remained that he would want to stick with the Steelers for another season and give it another go with Tomlin. But now, retirement seems even more likely.

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The new head coach in Pittsburgh, whoever that ends up being, will likely want to build with a new quarterback, as opposed to moving forward with a 42-year old veteran who is clearly on his last legs.

The Steelers have been searching for an answer at the quarterback position ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and Rodgers obviously isn’t the long-term answer in the Steel City.

"I'm sure the quarterback position will be an important part of this discussion with the [head coach] candidates,” Rooney said. “We'll have to develop a plan for going forward."

So where does that leave Rodgers? Perhaps there’s a team out there who would potentially use him as a one-year bridge quarterback in 2026, if he wants to go that route. But, we’ll have to wait and see if he does.

When Rodgers was asked about his future following Pittsburgh's 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, he declined to offer any insight into his plans. 

“I’m not going to make any emotional decision,” Rodgers said. “Disappointed, obviously. It was such a fun year. Lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. … It’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”

If we have seen the last of Rodgers in the NFL, it's been a hell of a ride. 

More Pittsburgh Steelers news: 

• Ravens owner doesn't rule out Mike Tomlin as a coaching candidate in Baltimore
• Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher reacts to Mike Tomlin's departure
• Full list of Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 NFL opponents revealed