Steelers' Aaron Rodgers decision has major meaning, suspense for 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still don't know who their quarterback will be in the season ahead.

Aaron Rodgers hasn't officially made any kind of retirement or return decision. The Steelers have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. They also have at least a semblance of intrigue about potentially drafting a QB.

It's anyone's guess. Rodgers is famously a bit unpredictable.

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The overall vibe from NFL analysts still seems to be that Rodgers will return. That would help explain why the Steelers have yet to make any quarterback moves this offseason.

The draft itself is in Pittsburgh, so there's been some speculation that Rodgers himself might head up on stage at some point and announce that he's returning.

That certainly would create some headlines, but if it's not actually in the works, then the suspense will continue.

Depending on the actual uncertainty within the building for the Steelers, there's also potential worth in considering a QB selection in this year's draft.

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Would they take Alabama's Ty Simpson in the first round? Probably only if they had real doubts about Rodgers coming back.

But maybe a mid-round quarterback would be warranted. Even if Rodgers comes back, he doesn't have a long future left in the NFL. Eventually, the Steelers will need a new quarterback.

The football world descends on Pittsburgh for the draft, which is great for the city -- but the city's team still has to figure out who it's going to rely on at the most important position in sports.

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