Steelers' Preference For Aaron Rodgers' 2026 Decision Officially Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot riding on an upcoming Wild Card game that could decide a lot of different things. A win would result in very little change, as the team will have finally gotten over the hump, and would be one step closer to being legitimate Super Bowl contenders. However, a loss would create loads of uncertainty, especially at the quarterback and head coach positions. Aaron Rodgers is 42 years old and not his old MVP self, and Mike Tomlin has been walking a fine line for a while now, and both could want to leave the team. 

On Saturday afternoon, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on the Rodgers situation and how the Steelers feel about a potential return.

"In the locker room a couple weeks ago, [Rodgers] opened the door potentially to return for 2026," Rapoport said. [He is] certainly playing well enough, and my understanding is that if Rodgers did want to return for next season — the Steelers have really enjoyed the experience — would be more than open to it. Just hope you get an answer sooner rather than later like they did last offseason."

There's no doubt that Tomlin loves what Rodgers can do on and off the field, and if he sticks around, Tomlin would definitely be happy with his quarterback coming back for one more ride as well. A playoff win could make things all the more interesting, but if there's a loss, they may have to take their times and think about their futures a bit more. Either way, it sounds like Pittsburgh is open to bringing the veteran back. 

Many of the players love how Rodgers is more than willing to be a mentor for them and helping explain how to be a better football player. Getting that kind of leadership back in the locker room would be a big plus for the younger guys on the team, especially at quarterback, whether the team sticks with Will Howard or drafts someone else in 2026. Having a coach on the field like that would be huge.

Statistically, there is more to be desired from Rodgers. In seasons where he played at least 10 games, 2025 was his career-worst for passing yards and touchdowns, among other advanced statistics. He's not getting any younger either. For every amazing game he had, there was a performance where it looked like he was completely washed up. That kind of inconsistency won't likely lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl.

Rodgers is still one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league, and he can read a defense well without worrying about having a pass intercepted often. He knows how to protect the ball, but at this age, that usually means throwing quick passes and letting the offensive skill players do all the work. The big question for him is if that style would be sustainable for another year. 

The Steelers would definitely benefit from Rodgers' mind being around the team, and that's the main reason why they are so willing to welcome him back. His body, however, makes it difficult to put all of your eggs into his basket. If he would be willing to return to the team in a coaching role, that would be amazing, but there has been no indication that that would happen.

Steelers Can't Make Same Mistake Again

Even if Rodgers does return in 2026, they need to make sure that they have a young, high-upside quarterback ready to go when he retires. In fact, having the 42-year-old on the team to coach him into being a quality starter would be the best-case scenario for the prospect, especially with the great offensive line in front of him. The Steelers can't just ignore the position to be nice to the aging start like they did in 2021.

What do you think about the Steelers wanting Rodgers back? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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