Aaron Rodgers hasn’t confirmed if he plans to play in the NFL for the upcoming season.
Rodgers is expected to make the Pittsburgh Steelers aware of his decision to play for the team, retire or play for another league team before the start of free agency next week.
Some injury news coming out of Pittsburgh could make an impact on the four-time NFL MVP’s plans.
Per Mike DeFabio of The Athletic, left tackle Broderick Jones had fusion surgery following an injury he suffered in Week 12. The Steelers are unsure of they will pick up the 2023 first-round pick’s fifth-year option in 2027, which would cost the team $19.07 million.
While the team is thinking about its budget for 2027, the Steelers must plan for how to address the left tackle position for 2026.
When speaking to reporters last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Steelers general manager Omar Khan would not specify if Jones would return from the injury in time for the regular season.
"Obviously, he had a significant injury and we're monitoring how he progresses," Khan said. "I know he's working hard. It's early in the process. That's certainly something that we're monitoring."
It’s a situation for Rodgers to monitor as well.
Frankly, the New York Jets' struggles at offensive tackle were a worry for the aging quarterback. Rodgers might not want to put himself in a position where left tackle will be a problem for most of his season.
Rodgers finished the 2025 campaign throwing for 3,220 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He helped lead the Steelers to an AFC North crown.
Should Rodgers decide to pass on the Steelers, he’ll have plenty of suitors in free agency this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings would be a hot destination for the former Green Bay Packers quarterback.
If the Indianapolis Colts fail to keep Daniel Jones, Rodgers could be a Plan B that would help the Colts push for the playoffs next season.
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