Aaron Rodgers handed strict ultimatum deadline by Pittsburgh Steelers as quarterback faces being left unemployed

AARON RODGERS has been handed a strict ultimatum deadline by the Pittsburgh Steelers as he faces being left unemployed.

Rodgers, 41, is in discussions with the Steelers over a new contract with plenty of details still yet to be ironed out.

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Aaron Rodgers spotted during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Houston Texans Wild Card gameCredit: Getty

Rodgers won a Super Bowl with the new Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy, at the Green Bay PackersCredit: Getty

The main one is whether Rodgers intends to retire or run it back for his 22nd season in the NFL instead.

The four-time NFL MVP will reportedly decide before the NFL draft this time around as opposed to last year.

He signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in June, as he left his plans particularly late after leaving the New York Jets.

The 2026 NFL draft, ironically being held in Pittsburgh this year, gets underway on April 23.

And now, Steelers president Art Rooney II has made it clear that he expects a decision to be made by the draft.

Speaking at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting, he said to ESPN, “I would say by the draft I would expect an answer.”

He had initially commented, “I have not talked to [Aaron]. Coach [Mike McCarthy] has been in contact with him pretty regularly.”

McCarthy recently mentioned being in contact with Rodgers, explaining they had been having weekly conversations.

He has made no secret of wanting a reunion with the Green Bay Packers legend for the upcoming season.

McCarthy was the head coach in Green Bay when Rodgers won his sole career Super Bowl title.

They spent 13 seasons working side-by-side before McCarthy was fired in 2018.

However, McCarthy is still doing his due diligence on other quarterbacks if Rodgers does not come back, or indeed plays for another NFL team.

He said via Steelers.com earlier this week, “I think like anything, people talk about having a plan.

“I think you have to have a system of player acquisition. There really aren’t too many scenarios we haven’t talked about.”

How to watch the NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday April 23 – and it’s sure to be a spectacular event.

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Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders – but will it happen?

Round 1 takes place Thursday 23 April from 8 pm ET with rounds two and three Friday at 7 pm ET.

And the action will conclude Saturday 25 April with rounds four to seven from midday ET.

You can watch all the action live on ESPN and NFL Network from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fans can sign up and watch the huge NFL showpiece by following the links below.

The Steelers’ ultimatum for Rodgers to decide before the draft indicates they could look at quarterback options out of college.

However, they don’t exactly have premium draft capital to spend as they hold the 21st overall pick.