Steelers Get An Important Update On What Might Be The End Of Aaron Rodgers' Career

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through the same song and dance with quarterback Aaron Rodgers that the two sides went through during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers did not sign until right before mandatory minicamp in 2025, and many have speculated that the same thing is going to happen this time around. This would mean that Rodgers would sign right at the beginning of June, but until that happens, other forms of speculation are going to run wild. This includes some people predicting that he will retire, while others may believe that he could sign elsewhere for the 2026 season.

Rodgers has always been free to sign wherever he wants during the 2026 offseason. He is a free agent, but the only realistic landing spot would be with Pittsburgh. He isn't going to sign to be a backup, especially not after proving he is still a top 20 quarterback in the NFL during the 2025 season. He can still manage and win games, and the Steelers have made it clear that the franchise would like him back for the 2026 season. NFL insider Adam Schefter joined Unsportsmanlike on Tuesday morning, and he spoke about the situation and what the hold up might be on a new deal.

"Let's keep in mind here that, he was a free agent last season and the only other team that seemed to kind of kick off at that moment was Minnesota," Schefter said. "That didn't really go anywhere. Pittsburgh wanted him, Pittsburgh wants him now. I think he liked Pittsburgh. I don't think that's the issue. I don't think he's holding out, waiting for a better opportunity. I just think that he has not been ready. Just like we were talking about with Lamar [Jackson], these things move on the quarterback schedule when they're ready and so far, Rodgers has not been ready."

Schefter said this when discussing the idea of Rodgers potentially playing somewhere else in 2026, and the insider does not see that as a real possibility. He also doesn't think that is the holdup. He believes Rodgers enjoyed his time with the Steelers and is going to want to come back. He just wants to wait until mandatory minicamp rolls around.

Pittsburgh recently placed the right-of-first-refusal tender on Rodgers, which basically means that once training camp begins, the only team that the quarterback could sign with is the Steelers. It also means that if Rodgers were to sign elsewhere before then, Pittsburgh would be in line for a compensatory draft pick. Placing this tag is an insurance policy, and it made some fans suspicious. It could be a sign that the franchise is worried that Rodgers could end up playing somewhere else, which is a notion that Schefter shut down once again.

"I don't see a second place right now," Schefter said. "I just don't see it. You tell me a second-place team. Somebody floated out Arizona. I don't see Aaron Rodgers going out to Arizona to finish out his career. With all due respect, like what would be the team? I welcome suggestions. I don't see it."

Schefter believes the Steelers are the only match for Rodgers. He was connected to a team like the Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 offseason, but that ship has sailed. The only true match in Schefter's eyes is with Pittsburgh.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has Other Fits Around The NFL

Both the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos have been floated out as potential landing spots for Rodgers. Denver seems less likely as a Rodgers signing would only make sense if Bo Nix is struggling to get back to fully healthy. The Cardinals might make sense, and it would put Rodgers closer to the west coast. The offense is attractive in Arizona under a new play caller with plenty of weapons, but Rodgers probably does not want to change teams again.

What do you think about this reporting from Schefter? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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