Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers tuned into Aaron Rodgers discussing his future on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, but the veteran didn't give too much away. What was supposed to be something that got figured out before the new league year begins on March 11th received a new twist. The quarterback mentioned that it takes two to tango and essentially implied that the organization has yet to offer him a contract for 2026. The team isn't likely to wait around until June like it did back in 2025, so it will be interesting to see if anything comes to fruition in the near future.
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Steelers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks into the distance with intense focus as he stands in street clothes while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers' options for the quarterback position don't seem to be all that intriguing in the present, so there's a real argument to be made that the four-time MVP would be the best solution for 2026, while the team intently watches the collegiate football season to see which prospects catch its eye for the 2027 NFL Draft. However, as Rodgers said, it takes two to tango.
On an edition of The Insiders on Wednesday night, NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, who is respected as being one of the best in the business, provided a little more detail surrounding the situation between the Steelers and Rodgers. He ultimately revealed why Pittsburgh hasn't put a contract offer in front of Rodgers just yet and, if true, it puts the ball right back in the future Hall of Famer's court.
"Here's what I know," Rapoport stated. "The Steelers do expect a decision from Aaron Rodgers before free agency. There has been intimation that that would be the case. Rodgers said that there's no deadline because they're not going to offer a deal until they know that he's going to accept a deal so all of that sort of makes sense. [They] still hope it's done [before free agency]. If not, then the Steelers really face the decision of, do we go out and get another quarterback because we don't know about Rodgers?"
The veteran has always been pretty secretive about what is going on behind closed doors. He has never been afraid to go on specific podcasts or shows to describe exactly how he feels. Wednesday's appearance could have been a little nudge to General Manager Omar Khan to get something in front of him, but Rapoport suggested that the Steelers want the opposite. If Rodgers confirms that he wants to come back and play, details of an offer will be revealed to him at that point.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Based on the reporting from Rapoport, it sure seems as if the Steelers aren't going to wait around. It's even possible that someone from the franchise leaked a little information to the reporter for his segment about the situation on The Insiders. Then, there's the possibility that nothing is as what it seems to be. Pittsburgh holds its cards close to its chest, unlike most NFL organizations. Fans shouldn't really know what to expect at this moment in time.
Some believed that the franchise doesn't want Rodgers back after he described that there is no timeline, and basically no offer available to him. That might not be the case at all. Khan and co. may simply want to hear that he is fully committed to returning and, at that point, all parties involved can put their brains together and figure out what makes the most sense financially.
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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.
Steelers Are Likely Content Either Way
If Rodgers comes back for another shot at things in Pittsburgh, the offense will have some continuity, which is never a bad thing. If, for some reason, the quarterback gets an offer to play elsewhere and accepts it, then the Steelers will be able to see what Will Howard is made of. The young signal-caller will either perform well and be viewed as the future starter, or the team will struggle, leading to a top pick in a 2027 NFL Draft that should be loaded with quarterback talent.
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