Pittsburgh Steelers told ‘not to wait’ for stalling Aaron Rodgers as decision time arrives

Aaron Rodgers has kept the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting, and one franchise legend is tired of his indecision.

The first wave of NFL free agency is done, and as of Sunday, March 15, the future Hall of Fame quarterback remains unsigned.

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His options, though, are limited.

A return to the Steel City seems most likely, after a solid 2025 season that saw Rodgers throw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns en-route to an AFC North title and wild-card round playoff exit, which ultimately spelled the end for Mike Tomlin.

There is real worry, though, that the 42-year-old veteran could call time on a legendary career that has seen him win the Super Bowl and scoop four NFL MVP awards.

The decision, of course, is down to Rodgers alone — but he’s taking his sweet time to make up his mind.

And that doesn’t sit well with Rod Woodson.

Steelers icon urges franchise to move on from Aaron Rodgers

The Hall of Fame cornerback and safety, who won Super Bowl XXXV in black and gold, has grown tired of the Rodgers saga and is worried the Steelers aren’t ‘moving in any direction’ at the QB position.

“What is it with these ex-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks, where they have to be talked about all the time?” Woodson asked, during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.

“Brett Favre was that way for years… (now it’s) Aaron Rodgers.

“Is he going to play? I get kind of tired of it. Listen, if he’s going to play, just say he’s going to play.

“The team shouldn’t wait for Aaron Rodgers, they need to move forward.”

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Woodson went on to speculate that the two parties could well have discussed a return, but that Pittsburgh might be looking internally for Rodgers’ replacement in Will Howard.

Howard arrived as a sixth-round draft pick in 2025, but did not take a single regular season snap in a rookie season derailed by injury.

Despite that, the Steelers and new head coach Mike McCarthy are said to be high on Howard, who could see more action.

“For this year, I think it’ll be something similar to last year, where I think they have a deal in play. (Rodgers) can say he doesn’t have a physical contract in front of him,” Woodson continued.

“Maybe they’ve talked about it, and need to hash out the terms for a one-year deal. But it doesn’t seem the Steelers are moving in any direction to get a quarterback.

“Or maybe they’re that intrigued by Will Howard, that he’s going to be that guy, if Rodgers doesn’t come back into the building.”

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Whoever the quarterback is in 2026, be it Rodgers or Howard, they will have exciting new weapons on offense.

New wideout is ‘perfect’ signing for Steelers

The Steelers acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts last week, and he arrives to boost a room that was led by DK Metcalf last season.

In 2025, Pittman finished with 80 receptions for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Since being drafted by the Colts in the second round six years ago, he’s racked up a total of 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Speaking to talkSPORT’s Across the Formation podcast, Sam Harris described him as the perfect man for Pittsburgh.

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“I think he’s going to be a brilliant signing for the Steelers,” Harris said of the wideout, who signed a three-year, $59 million deal.

“He played under a different quarterback every year at the Colts, and has been the top performer.

“He’s one of the toughest guys, probably doesn’t get enough credit for it. He’s played banged up for a lot of his career at the Colts as well, and he’s a massive personality in the locker room.

“I think if you’re a Steelers fan, this is exactly the sort of receiver you’re looking for, to go next to DK Metcalf that’s going to get the best out of him now.

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“In terms of Aaron Rodgers, we all know he loves to have a guy that he trusts. And I think him and Pittman are going to build a relationship from Week 1.”

Meanwhile, talkSPORT play-by-play commentator Will Gavin believes the arrival of Pittman points to a Rodgers return.

“Michael Pittman is an ideal Aaron Rodgers receiver,” he said.

“He runs those in-breaker routes, he’s snappy on those. He’s a good contested catch guy.

“Aaron Rodgers is basically coming back. I think that’s happening. We would know by this point if it wasn’t. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to be a Steeler this year.”

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Not only did Pittsburgh add Pittman through a trade with the Colts, they also signed former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle to boost the backfield.

He’s a man that HC McCarthy knows well, given they spent five season together in Texas, and has agreed a two-year, $12.25m deal.

Early offseason moves are positive, and the Steelers have invested in a couple of weapons they hope can get them back to the playoffs, and pick up a postseason win that has eluded them since January 2017.

All that’s left, is for QB Rodgers to confirm his return.

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