Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network expects the Pittsburgh Steelers to not wait much longer on Aaron Rodgers‘ looming decision. Rapoport believes Rodgers will give the Steelers an answer on whether he’ll be back before the start of free agency, which is March 11.
“He had positive discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his old friend Mike McCarthy. Surely an answer is coming before free agency,” Rapoport said at the NFL Combine.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan revealed at the NFL Combine earlier this week that the team has not given quarterback Rodgers a deadline to make a decision on his football future.
“No deadline,” Khan said. “All I’ll tell you guys is I don’t foresee this going like it did last year.”
Rodgers did not agree to terms with the Steelers until June 5 last year.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Rodgers will turn 43 next season, which would be his 22nd in the NFL if he returns. During his first go-round with the Steelers, he posted a 10-6 record, passing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Of course, the Steelers are also trying to plan for the future, being that Rodgers isn’t the long-term solution. McCarthy, the team’s new head coach, said in his introductory press conference that he’s excited to work with Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft. Khan mentioned Howard’s name, as well.
“We all agree that we’re looking for that next franchise guy,” Khan said. “We’re not there yet. We may have a guy on the roster, we don’t know, in Will. We’re excited to work with Will. We know that it has to be addressed. We’re all looking for the same thing, we’re just not there yet.”
The Steelers have also been linked to Alabama’s Ty Simpson and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in recent 2026 NFL Draft mock-ups. There are other possibilities in free agency.
“I think right now, I’d say all options are on the table,” Khan said. “I’ll say this. We’d certainly welcome Aaron back. It was a really good experience with him. I really enjoyed getting to know him and he was great to have around. But the reality is we’re all searching for that next guy, that next 10-15 year guy. I guess right now, all options are on the table.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
Mentioned In This Article: Aaron Rodgers Ian Rapoport Mike McCarthy Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News