Steelers make decision on Aaron Rodgers with NFC rival tipped to strike for NFL icon in bold move

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a plan for Aaron Rodgers.

At 42-years-old, the veteran Super Bowl winning quarterback — regarded as one of the greatest to ever play — doesn’t have much left in the tank.

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Still, in 2025, Rodgers led the Steelers to another NFL playoff appearance, even if it did end in disappointment against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

There were big changes in the Steel City in the weeks that followed, too.

Mike Tomlin, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, has departed.

He has been replaced by Mike McCarthy, a man Rodgers knows very well from his days with the Green Bay Packers.

While McCarthy gave little away about his hopes of a reunion during his introductory press conference last month, it seems the Steelers have now made a decision over their quarterback.

Steelers willing to wait for Aaron Rodgers return

NFL insider Mike Florio reports the organization want the four-time MVP back, and won’t put any pressure on an early decision.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Steelers definitely want quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return for 2026,” Florio wrote for Pro Football Talk.

“It’s not a ploy to make Rodgers think they want him back while hoping he doesn’t return. They want him to return.”

The reporter went on to note that the Steelers are not in any ‘hurry’ to hear from the veteran, as it will give them a chance to develop one of last year’s draft picks, Will Howard.

Howard, an national champion with the Ohio State Buckeyes, arrived as a sixth-round pick in Pittsburgh.

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The young signal caller spent last season learning behind Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph, but did not see the field for a single snap.

Florio believes an offseason program without Rodgers will be beneficial for Howard, and help him become the Steelers’ future QB1.

“While they don’t anticipate that the situation will take quite as long as it did last year to resolve itself, they’re content to focus on developing second-year quarterback Will Howard,” Florio added.

“With Rodgers not there for the offseason program, Howard has a chance to become QB1 over Mason Rudolph.

“Whether Howard becomes a viable starter remains to be seen.

“He was a sixth-rounder. And while his draft status may have resulted in part from the Shedeur Sanders logjam, Howard lingered until pick No. 185.

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“It all comes down to what Rodgers wants to do, and when he chooses to do it. Taking his time to make a decision allows him to miss the voluntary portion of the offseason program without criticism or scrutiny from the outside.”

Surprising NFC team emerges as potential landing spot for Aaron Rodgers

The veteran, though, might have an option beyond the Steel City next season.

Florio reports that the Minnesota Vikings, who struggled through 2025 with J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz under center, could be open to a run with Rodgers.

“Last year, it was basically the Steelers or no one,” he wrote.

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“This year, maybe the Vikings warm up to the idea of a season with Rodgers. If they don’t, the choices could be Pittsburgh or Del Boca Vista.”

Given he won 10 of the 16 games he started in 2025, and put up a respectable 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns, Rodgers’ preference would surely be to return to the Steelers, rather than start fresh somewhere else.

At a ripe old age of 42, next season will almost certainly be his last, if he does decide to forego retirement for another 12 months.

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