Reports suggest that Aaron Rodgers is still undecided about playing in the 2026 season, although he seems to be training to maintain his fitness. This could be positive news for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have placed him as their starting quarterback. However, there’s a bit of a downer: while Rodgers communicates regularly with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, he hasn’t committed firmly to the team for the upcoming season—or to any other team, for that matter.
General manager Omar Khan mentioned on Monday that communication with Rodgers remains strong and positive, but he didn’t offer any guarantees about Rodgers playing for the Steelers. The vibe is somewhat distant since Rodgers is currently traveling, while the Steelers kicked off voluntary minicamp without him. It’s anticipated that second-year quarterback Will Howard will take significant snaps with the first-team offense during the camp, which runs until Wednesday. Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding the possibility of Rodgers joining the Steelers before the NFL Draft seems to be dwindling.
Interestingly, it was Art Rooney II, the Steelers’ owner, who hinted that they believed an answer from Rodgers could come by this week. He expressed hope that clarity regarding Rodgers’ future would unfold before the draft. Last year, it took until June for Rodgers to confirm his decision to play with the Steelers, which added some extra tension. Khan noted that both sides would likely prefer not to extend this uncertainty like they did previously.
Speaking of options, Rodgers appears to be considering just two paths: he can either play for the Steelers or choose to retire. There’s really no viable “Option C.” That’s mainly because the only other team that currently lacks a set plan for their starting quarterback is the Arizona Cardinals, which might not be appealing for someone like Rodgers.
On another note, if the Steelers are looking at potential draft picks, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could be in their sights. He’s one of the few QB candidates with a real chance of being selected in the first round, so taking a closer look at him with their No. 21 overall pick might make sense—especially if there are any twists regarding Rodgers’ future. Even if Rodgers assures the team he’s back, considering a younger option like Simpson might still be smart, given his age—he’s 42 now and will turn 43 during the season.
Khan affirmed that decisions about drafting a quarterback wouldn’t hinge on Rodgers’ situation, indicating, “Yes, we will evaluate that. It doesn’t change our evaluation process.” They’re still moving forward with their draft evaluations and will see how things play out.
