Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Aaron Rodgers visited Pittsburgh over the weekend, but did not meet with the Steelers’ brass in person at the team’s facility.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan joined the “Deebo & Joe” podcast on Tuesday and revealed just a brief statement, “We’ve had communications with him and his agent.”
It’s unclear why Rodgers was in Pittsburgh, but the visit was a surprise to the Steelers.
“It came out the Steelers didn’t know he was even coming,” Mike Florio said Monday on his Pro Football Talk podcast. “I talked to somebody who’s plugged in, and internally, the Steelers’ reaction was, ‘It’s just Aaron being Aaron.’ It’s just Aaron doing whatever Aaron does. And Aaron does things that people don’t expect.”
To say the least, Rodgers has always been one to move to the beat of his own drum. Visiting Pittsburgh but not meeting with the Steelers in person has certainly raised eyebrows.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Florio believes Rodgers might be looking out for his own best interests as he negotiates with Khan.
Obviously, Rodgers wouldn’t want to end his career as a backup for a team careening toward an early first-round draft pick.
“What if Aaron Rodgers is looking for an understanding, unwritten understanding, unenforceable, handshake deal?” Florio said Monday on “Pro Football Talk Live.” “If we get to Week 8, and we’re 3-5 and 2-6, you’ll just release me before the trade deadline, and I can go pick — if I choose to — I can pick another team if another team needs me. … One of the awkward things this year, if they aren’t good — and who knows how they’re gonna be under Mike McCarthy — but if they aren’t good this year, at some point, do they bench Aaron Rodgers for one of the younger guys?
“This is where Aaron Rodgers protects himself.”
Rodgers would have to be released before the trade deadline because any move after it would mean he has to clear waivers, then “all it takes is one smart-ass to say, ‘We’re gonna keep Aaron Rodgers from being this guy who rides in and saves a team that loses its quarterback in November or December,” Florio said.
Rodgers went 10-6 as the Steelers’ starter last season, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Steelers hired his former head coach in Green Bay, Mike McCarthy, to take over for Mike Tomlin.
If Rodgers doesn’t come back for a second season with the Steelers, their quarterback room consists of Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar.
Mentioned In This Article: Aaron Rodgers Mike Florio Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News