{"id":686583,"date":"2026-01-18T15:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/686583\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T15:13:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:13:18","slug":"report-steelers-players-told-organization-they-want-aaron-rodgers-to-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/686583\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Steelers Players Told Organization They Want Aaron Rodgers To Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a new head coach in 2026, but players don\u2019t want a new quarterback. According to a report on Sunday morning by ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter, multiple Steelers players told the organization in their exit meetings<\/a> that they want Rodgers back as the team\u2019s quarterback in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Steelers players are more than open to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh; they want the four-time league MVP back and conveyed as much to various members of the Steelers organization during their exit meetings last week, according to sources. Almost to a man, Steelers players universally praised Rodgers during their exit interviews, and most if not all of them want the veteran quarterback to return in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schefter notes that a return is \u201cunlikely,\u201d which isn\u2019t surprising given Tomlin\u2019s departure. Art Rooney II said in his press conference on Wednesday that he believes Rodgers\u2019 decision is impacted<\/a> by Tomlin stepping down. Tomlin and Rodgers had a close relationship, and at 42 years old, it\u2019s understandable that Rodgers may not want to go through a coaching change to play another season.<\/p>\n

But his teammates respect him and value his leadership, and if Rodgers does return, it would at least be some continuity in what\u2019s sure to be an offseason of change. It speaks volumes about how Rodgers handled himself in Pittsburgh as a player that so many players reportedly want him back and let the organization know as much, but it seems as if Rodgers\u2019 time in Pittsburgh will be capped at one season.<\/p>\n

If Rodgers does leave, the Steelers will be seeking yet another new starting quarterback, although the team could turn to one of it\u2019s in-house options in Mason Rudolph or Will Howard to begin the 2026 season. Of course, that won\u2019t be decided until later, but Rodgers\u2019 fate is a decision the team likely wants an answer on sooner rather than later so they can plan out the rest of their offseason. It likely won\u2019t come until a new head coach is hired, however, but there would be a lot of excitement in the Steelers locker room if Rodgers does return to lead the team for another season.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, retirement or another team might wind up being better options for Rodgers, but the current members of the team and front office would welcome him back with open arms.<\/p>\n

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