The Pittsburgh Steelers are patiently waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to return to play in the Steel City for another year. He got the team to the playoffs in 2025, and the Steelers were AFC North champions. The team had the opportunity to host a postseason matchup, but it was an embarrassment as the organization lost to the Houston Texans by a score of 30-6. Now, fans await the veteran's decision, and nothing is set in stone. He could retire; however, he also could agree to sign another one-year deal in the hopes of making a deep run toward the Super Bowl.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes a knee and looks off into the distance as the team gets ready to participate during a 2025 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
The overwhelming expectation is that Rodgers felt rejuvenated during his lone season with the Steelers. The locker room truly seemed to resonate with the future Hall of Famer, and because of the 2026 NFL Draft class at the quarterback position, it likely makes sense to ask the veteran to return for another campaign. One small issue is that the signal-caller is a very private person, and no one has heard directly from him in over a month.
Aditi Kinkhabwala spends her NFL seasons traveling and working as a sideline reporter. She is often around different teams, executives, and players. On Wednesday, she hopped on The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller to talk about the state of the Steelers and league as a whole. In a rather shocking development, Kinkhabwala reported that the chances of a Rodgers reunion are seriously trending downward.
"Having spoken to people who have, who are around him, who have been around him — everybody that I have spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance he comes back to play is minuscule," Kinkhabwala said. "Take that for what it's worth."
In an interesting twist, Rodgers could also declare his desire to retire, stay in shape, and then come out of retirement to sign with a contender after a serious quarterback injury. The reporter was very careful with her wording, and never confirmed if she has heard that Rodgers would not be coming back to play for the Steelers, or anyone. Regardless, the situation just took a fascinating turn after Kinkhabwala's report.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down in an intense focus in street clothes as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
By keeping his cards close to his chest, no one has any true idea of what the four-time MVP will do in relation to his future. The Steelers could argue that having him back would be ideal, but could also reason with the other side of things. No Rodgers would mean possibly getting a true opportunity to see if Will Howard is capable of being a long-term solution.
Rodgers played a very respectable season in 2025, but will turn 43 during the 2026 campaign. He may be a better option than most for Pittsburgh; however, that does not mean that he will want to play for another year. He has nothing left to prove as a Super Bowl champion, and will go down as one of the best starting quarterbacks to ever play the game.
At the end of the day, it will come down to that alleged rejuvenation that he got while playing for the Steelers. If he has a fire burning that is causing him to continue preparing and playing each week, then he will want to play again in 2026. If he realizes that his body is done and wants to enjoy retirement, he has certainly earned that after an illustrious career.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prepares to make a throw as the team works out during 2025 mandatory minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Won't Let Rodgers Take Forever This Time Around
Pittsburgh could be aggressive in free agency for a quarterback like Malik Willis, which is why it will be imperative for the franchise to know Rodgers' plans beforehand. The team is not going to wait until June for him to put pen to paper. This may frustrate the veteran, but the organization may absolutely close the door on his return on its own if Rodgers does not decide in the coming weeks.
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