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Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan told reporters there is no deadline for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make his 2026 NFL decision.
Mike Tomlin is no long the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. But it still sounds as though the organization is taking a similar approach to quarterback Aaron Rodgers this February as it did last year.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan essentially confirmed that while speaking to reporters early Tuesday morning at the NFL combine.
“I’ve been in communication in Aaron [Rodgers],” Khan said, via Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. “I think Mike [McCarthy] has, I know Mike has also. We’ve had good communication. Honest communication, but nothing new to report.”
Last year, Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until June 5. Khan doesn’t see it taking that long this spring for the quarterback to sign or retire.
But officially, it’s the same situation as 2025 — the Steelers haven’t given Rodgers a date to make a decision.
“No deadline. All I’ll tell you guys is I don’t foresee this going like it did last year.
Steelers Willing to Wait for Aaron Rodgers
The “glass half full” crowd will see Khan’s comment about Rodgers’s decision coming sooner than last year as a positive. It is.
But based on Khan’s update at the combine, the Steelers are going to be patient and wait for Rodgers to make a choice. Just like last year.
The Steelers received significant criticism from mid-March through June 5 while waiting for Rodgers to sign last spring. For part of that time, Mason Rudolph was the only quarterback on the Pittsburgh roster.
Khan and the Steelers then waited until the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to add another signal-caller.
But ultimately, it was the right choice to wait. After missing on the top quarterbacks during the first week of 2025 free agency, Rodgers was the best short-term option available.
He led the Steelers to a 10-6 record and AFC North title.
The question for this year is whether Rodgers can repeat his 2025 success now another year older. Rodgers will turn 43 years old before the end of 2026 regular season.
Also, will Rodgers be able to end the team’s seven-game postseason losing streak? In January, his playoff fate was the same as other quarterbacks for the team lately — a first-round playoff exit.
Steelers QB Room Entering 2026 NFL Free Agency
There’s one other noticeable difference between the Steelers’ situation with Rodgers this year versus 2025 — the quarterback room the team already has.
Last year, the Steelers had zero returning signal-callers. In fact, for the second year in a row, the organization was completely revamping its entire quarterback room.
That’s not the case in 2026, as both Rudolph and Howard are returning.
That’s both a positive and a negative. While it provides the Steelers continuity, the team really only has space to add one quarterback this spring.
If they want it to be Rodgers, then they can’t pursue anyone else until the 42-year-old makes a decision on the 2026 season.
The Steelers could add a different quarterback in free agency or a trade before Rodgers’s decision. But if the team also signs Rodgers, the Steelers will have four quarterbacks.
NFL teams typically carry three signal-callers on the active roster during the regular season. If the Steelers acquire another quarterback and sign Rodgers this offseason, then they will probably have to trade Rudolph before September.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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