Steelers continue wait for ‘washed’ Aaron Rodgers despite framing Draft strategy around him

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for Aaron Rodgers’ decision.

Despite handing him the unrestricted free agent tag last week, Rodgers has yet to decide whether he will be returning to the league.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will receive exclusive negotiating rights for Rodgers if he does not sign by July 22, 2026 or the first scheduled day of the first 2026 NFL training camp, whichever is later.

In the meantime, Rodgers is obligated to discuss with other teams, not just the Steelers, whom he started at quarterback for in 2025.

If prominent NFL voice Skip Bayless was running the Steelers however, it sounds like he wouldn’t be returning to the black and gold.

“I do think he will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it will be, yet again, a mistake. He’s washed,” Bayless said on ‘The Arena: Gridiron.’

“And I’m gonna say it again. I’ll give you this. His QBR has improved in each of his last three full starting years.

“He is getting better with age, just a little better, and he is still [ranked] in the 20s.

“They did get to a home playoff game, and they lost it 30-6, in which he had a QBR of 15. For those who don’t know, scale 1-100, 15.”

Rodgers did prove in 2025 that he still has something left in the tank after leading the Steelers to a playoff berth.

He threw for 3322 yards, with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions but his wildcard game performance left much to be desired.

His 146 yards and 51.5 completion percentage led to the aforementioned 15 QBR.

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If Rodgers opts not to return, it is likely to be Will Howard’s job, with 2026 fourth-round pick Drew Allar, who appeared disappointed on the night, and Mason Rudolph behind him.

The Steelers have been told to forget about Rodgers and give Howard the chance to be the starting quarterback.

Howard was selected in the sixth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but suffered a fractured hand in training camp, missed all of the preseason games and didn’t take a snap for the Steelers.

Insider believes Steelers draft strategy was tailored for Rodgers return

The biggest thing that plagued the Steelers in 2025 wasn’t their offense, but it was their defense.

They addressed this in a big way during the draft, selecting tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round, and guard Gennings Dunker. 

The Steelers also added explosive weapons in wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round and the versatile Kaden Wetjen in the fourth.

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These additions are designed to provide the elite protection Rodgers requires, while allowing young prospects like quarterback Allar to develop under the veteran’s legendary mentorship.

Tom Pellissero pointed out the correlation between the Steelers picks and what a quarterback would want.

“Everything the Steelers did in the draft may not have been designed for Aaron Rodgers, but certainly if you were saying ‘What might Aaron Rodgers want?’A tackle, a guard who’s a barroom brawler, and a big slot receiver,” Pellissero said, via Steelers Depot.

“Those are three things that Aaron Rodgers likes. Everything seems to have been built in that direction.”

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