The first wave of the NFL’s offseason is over, and the Pittsburgh Steelers went through it without an answer from Aaron Rodgers on his 2026 season. It’s a similar situation to last year, when the Steelers had to wait until just before minicamp for the veteran quarterback to fill them in on his intentions.

This time around, the conversations should be different. It’s a new coaching staff in Pittsburgh, led by Mike McCarthy. But Rodgers now has a year of familiarity with the city and the organization under his belt.

To the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko, that familiarity could help Rodgers make a quicker decision. Batko thinks the decision could come before the NFL Draft.

“I think we’ll get a decision before then. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part. I’ll go ahead and say yes, I don’t feel great about it… The conversations at this point last year were probably more about selling Aaron on the Steelers, or quote unquote recruiting him,” Batko said Friday on The North Shore Drive podcast. “I just would venture to guess that this year, the conversations are not like that… It’s probably a lot more casual and easy going. But that doesn’t make it any easier for the Steelers to operate without having a 100 percent, yes or no, in or out from him.”

The draft will be held in Pittsburgh at the end of April, and the Steelers would sure like to know Aaron Rodgers’ decision by then. Omar Khan mentioned earlier this offseason that he thought Rodgers’ process might be a quicker one this time around, although the veteran doesn’t seem close to an answer at the moment.

Pittsburgh is now getting some heat from the media for waiting on Rodgers once again. And even if the Steelers don’t plan on drafting a quarterback high anyway, making potentially 12 picks is probably easier when your starting quarterback is locked in.

After Rodgers outplayed his $13.6 million contract last year, some wonder if the wait could have to do with the financials. Colin Cowherd mentioned Friday that even a price of $32 million would be fair for Rodgers. For what it’s worth, Rodgers did mention that he hadn’t received an offer from the Steelers speaking a few weeks ago on Pat McAfee’s show. Many figured that’s because the decision was simply whether he’s coming back or not. But there is a possibility the financial aspect still needs to be ironed out.

Some of the Steelers’ moves this offseason could point to the fact that they suspect Rodgers is coming back. Acquiring a veteran receiver who knows how to get open quickly, like Michael Pittman Jr., is one example. And if Rodgers doesn’t return, the Steelers still have one young prospect in Will Howard, and could pick up another quarterback in the draft.

Either way, things are easier on the Steelers once Aaron Rodgers does give them a decision. To Batko, that might come before the NFL world meets in Pittsburgh in late-April.