Steelers predicted to land $44m free agent QB after Aaron Rodgers makes feelings clear on major Pittsburgh issue
All eyes are on Aaron Rodgers once again this offseason.
Will he play another year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, or will he ride off into the sunset for a well-earned retirement?
The decision will come down Rodgers alone, but time is ticking for all those waiting on an answer in the Steel City.
Free agency is days away, and Pittsburgh would need to act fast if they need to replace the veteran quarterback.
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, remained coy on his future during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
The 42-year-old revealed that he continues to work out, but that no contract has been offered by the Steelers, and that no deadline to make a decision has been set.
He did also drop a subtle hint about returning to the Steelers, and more specifically, playing again on the much-criticised turf at Acrisure Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers makes feeling clear on major Pittsburgh issue
The most recent round of NFL Players Association report cards graded the Steelers’ home field as the worst in the league ‘by a wide margin.’
Acrisure’s surface experiences more wear and tear than many other fields, because both the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh’s Panthers football program play there — sometimes on the same weekend.
When discussing with McAfee how much he enjoyed last season with the team, Rodgers made sure to voice his opinion on the turf issue.
“Just seeing the response from the fans, and how much they loved the Black and Gold… and then, Acrisure, other than the field surface itself, is a great place to play,” he said.
When McAfee laughed at that claim, Rodgers insisted he’s far from the only one who feels that way.
“I mean, I’m not saying anything out of my a**,” he concluded.
Thankfully for Rodgers and the Steelers, it seems team owner Art Rooney II has been listening.
The turf, which was previously Kentucky bluegrass, will be replaced in 2026. Pittsburgh will play on Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass next season.
But if one offseason prediction comes true, Rodgers won’t be there to benefit.
Steelers tipped to replace Aaron Rodgers with $44m free agent QB
Following his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, CBS Sports published a ‘bold predictions’ piece that noted veteran Rodgers could choose to retire, instead of return for one more year.
If that happens, the Steelers could turn their attention to free agent Malik Willis, who will be in demand once the free agency window opens next week.
“When push comes to shove, we’ll predict Rodgers decides to hang it up after a remarkable Hall of Fame career, which he’ll have ended competing in the playoffs after winning the AFC North. Not too shabby of a final chapter,” reporter Tyler Sullivan wrote.
“With Rodgers riding off into the sunset, the Steelers have to figure out what’s next at quarterback.
“Fortunately for them, they do have $40.1 million in salary cap space to work with, which could help them fetch Packers free agent quarterback Malik Willis.
“The 26-year-old is pegged by many to potentially be the latest veteran quarterback to resurrect his career, particularly after flashing in spot showing with Green Bay over the last few seasons.
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“In his lone start in 2025, Willis completed 85.7% of his passes for 288 yards and a touchdown, while adding 60 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against Baltimore.
“Those shimmers are enough to garner the attention of multiple QB-needy teams, including Pittsburgh, and they should try to shoulder themselves to the front of the line for his services.”
Other teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, are said to be pursuing Willis.
The 26-year-old is one of the top free agents available in 2026, and could command a $44m deal once he leaves Green Bay.
Willis will surely be taken off the market quickly, and if the Steelers are indeed to pursue him, they will need Rodgers to confirm his own future in the coming days.
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