The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have to navigate the 2026 NFL Draft without knowing whether Aaron Rodgers will return to the team for a second season.
There is "no expectation" of Rodgers making a final decision about his future ahead of this year's draft, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Rodgers spent the 2025 NFL season with the Steelers. He helped lead Pittsburgh to a third consecutive playoff berth while completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
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Many assumed the 2025 season would be Rodgers' last, as the veteran quarterback said he was "pretty sure this is it" in a June 24 appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." However, he seemed more open to the idea of returning for the 2026 season after he enjoyed his first season in Pittsburgh.
Still, no resolution about Rodgers' future has yet been reached – at least not publicly.
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)
1 / 42026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, tradesOT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)
The Steelers are no stranger to playing the waiting game with Rodgers. During the 2025 offseason, they waited until June to sign him to a one-year deal to serve as the team's starting quarterback.
Could Pittsburgh be willing to follow a similar timeline during the 2026 NFL offseason? The Steelers have thus far stood pat at quarterback, which may be an indication they are confident Rodgers will return and that the team won't need to add another veteran to the position group.
New coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence in 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. The Steelers could be willing to let him fight for the starting job during the offseason if Rodgers opts to retire after 21 seasons.
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That said, the Steelers are expected to select a quarterback at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Pittsburgh's decision about when to draft a signal-caller could depend on the team's confidence in Rodgers returning.