The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the same exact spot they were at this time last year: waiting for Aaron Rodgers to either retire or commit to the team. The fans were promised that this year would be different, but in reality, it's the same thing happening all over again. Time feels like a flat circle now, as some now anticipate that the veteran QB will sign a deal right before the start of mandatory minicamp, just like he did in 2025. Steeler Nation continues to sit and wait for the 42-year-old to make his final choice.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
While making a recent appearance on The Insiders, Owner and Team President Art Rooney II was asked about the Rodgers situation, and he gave an update that sounds very similar to what has been said in the past, but with one change.
"We've been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis," Rooney said. "He's been keeping us up-to-date on his plans. Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion in the next few weeks."
The new timeline that Rooney gave was "the next few weeks," which coincides with the Steelers' offseason program. Organized Team Activities (OTAs) will start May 18th, so he likely hopes that Rodgers will announce his decision by that time. In 2025, he opted to skip all of OTAs, but if he wants to do that, he will miss another key phase of the program this time around.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
In 2026, mandatory minicamp is in the middle of OTAs for the Steelers. OTA #6 will be held on May 29, then minicamp happens June 2-4. Then OTAs start back up on June 8. Rodgers will have to decide if he wants to wait until before or after the offseason program is finished. Regardless, the longer he waits, the more of a potential distraction this could become for the team and the fans.
If he does not return for any or all of the offseason program, then the Steelers will be more than happy to give the other quarterbacks all the reps they need. Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar will be trying to show how well they can develop, while Mason Rudolph hopes to do well enough to secure himself a job for 2026 (whether that's in Pittsburgh or another team that could use a quality backup like him).
Steelers' Constant Misinformation Is Getting Very Frustrating For Fans
The timeline for when the Steelers expected an answer has constantly changed. First, there was a reported deadline around the beginning of free agency. After that timeframe came and went, the team brass claimed that they hoped to know by the draft. Now, the timeline is around OTAs. At this point, it's hard for fans to take Rooney's latest comments seriously when the supposed deadline keeps getting pushed.
Post-Gazette / ap photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II on the sidelines before a Steelers game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday Dec, 15, 2024.
Maybe Rodgers will make his decision by OTAs, or maybe not. At this point, it is very clear that the Steelers are content with allowing the 4x NFL MVP to take as much time as he wants before coming to any sort of conclusion. With any situation with him, nothing is ever certain, and there is never a true timeline on anything.
Many fans are beyond frustrated at this point. The constant news cycle of "maybe Rodgers will sign soon, but also maybe not" can wear down on any fan base. With how the veteran did not exactly play at an elite level in 2025, many have called for Howard to be the starter just to see if he has what it takes to play in this league or not, as opposed to playing this waiting game for a second consecutive season.
What do you think about Rooney's update on Rodgers? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation