This time, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t need to wait until June for Aaron Rodgers to put pen to paper. By the time free agency opens up less than one month from now, Rodgers will be back for a 22nd NFL season. That’s what beat writer Mark Kaboly believes, confidently answering what Rodgers’ decision will be and when it’ll happen during a recent Twitter/X mailbag.
“I fully expect Rodgers to sign with the Steelers within the next month,” Kaboly wrote when one user asked if Rodgers was seriously contemplating a return.
Kaboly is far from the first to connect Rodgers’ return to Pittsburgh. Most in the national media believe it’s going to happen, and such speculation has existed from the moment the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ longtime coach in Green Bay. McCarthy hired plenty of former Packers’ coaches, notably offensive line coach James Campen, who has a great relationship with Rodgers.
Reportedly rejuvenated by his year in Pittsburgh, Rodgers’ exited the season largely healthy and still proving he could play. While no longer functioning at an MVP level, his 24 touchdowns were the best production the Steelers have experienced in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era and his 6.3 ANY/A ranked above league-average.
If Kaboly’s prediction is true, Rodgers’ answer will come before free agency. That will give Pittsburgh clarity without the need to even consider veteran options like Kirk Cousins or a trade for Kyler Murray.
Given Rodgers’ distaste for offseason workout programs, it’s unclear if he would attend voluntary OTAs. Or, like last year, only show up when the events become mandatory in June. Given his familiarity in the offense, Rodgers won’t fall behind should he skip the events even if most quarterbacks attend as a sign of leadership.
Even for those who don’t want Rodgers back, signing in the next four weeks at least eliminates the non-stop saga of last year. The endless speculation and drip-drip news story nature of the will-he-won’t-he. Of course, if and when Rodgers signs, football’s pundits will spend the next three months discussing if it’s the right decision for Pittsburgh or if the team will, at best, get the same middling results of the last decade.