Will QB Aaron Rodgers be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026? Nothing official has happened yet, but both sides seem to be open to a reunion. According to Adam Schefter, people across the NFL expect a decision sometime in March.
The idea of waiting for Rodgers to make a decision is giving people flashbacks to last offseason. Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until right before mandatory minicamp in 2025. Now, there were things happening in his personal life that he said he needed to take care of. There is no indication of that being the case this year.
So, why the delay? Beat writer Mark Kaboly read between the lines and has some thoughts.
“Is he waiting to see what’s happening in free agency, or free agency and/or acquiring a wide receiver of note?” Kaboly asked Thursday on Kaboly + Mack. “Maybe he’s like, okay, I’m interested, let’s see what you can add for me first. You going to bring back Gainwell? You going to get me a stud number two receiver? Once again, this is my speculation, my reading between the lines here. Maybe that’s what’s holding him back.”
Aaron Rodgers is 42 and will turn 43 years old in December. He even speculated that 2025 would be his last year, though he seemingly changed his mind throughout the course of the year. If he plays in 2026, it will be a virtual lock that this is his last season in the NFL. In his position, who wouldn’t want to go out on top?
The Steelers have some serious needs on the offensive side of the ball, though. Their wide receiver corps is DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, essentially. WR Calvin Austin III is a pending free agent. Plus, Rodgers’ favorite passing option, RB Kenneth Gainwell, is a pending free agent as well. Gainwell was Rodgers’ security blanket in 2025, leading the team in catches with 73.
So, why would Rodgers want to commit to a team whose offense is lacking in weapons outside of a couple of players? Now, Kaboly says he’s speculating, but what he’s speculating makes sense. The Steelers need receiver help. Rodgers would probably want a talented veteran added to the mix. The Steelers could do that in free agency. They could also pursue a wide receiver like the Chicago Bears’ DJ Moore, whose market is seemingly heating up.
Maybe Kaboly is right, and Aaron Rodgers wants to see how the Steelers bolster their offense at the start of the new league year. Maybe Kaboly is wrong. Regardless, the Steelers need to do that.
And the Steelers need to do that regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers returns in 2026 or not. Whoever plays quarterback will need talented targets.
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