Hashing out Aaron Rodgers’ Pat McAfee interview with Dave Bryan on Friday’s podcast, Dave brought up the perfect phrase to sum up the continued Rodgers’ waiting game. Catch-22.
A catch-22 of Rodgers wanting a contract to feel loved by the Steelers, and the Steelers waiting to offer that contract until Rodgers says he’s playing.
A potential catch-22 of Rodgers wanting to see how Pittsburgh’s roster improves during free agency. If the Steelers land a big-name wide receiver. If they retain Kenneth Gainwell. If they create an offense that can stand on its own feet. But until there’s certainty at quarterback, it’s hard for Pittsburgh to firm up those free agency deals.
That’s the cycle Pittsburgh feels like it’s in right now. Both sides waiting. Rodgers waiting for the Steelers. The Steelers waiting for Rodgers.
When does it end?
Rodgers is a bridge quarterback. Surely he can even admit to that. All bridges are supposed to lead to some new road. Pittsburgh, a city of full of them, knows that better than anyone.
Where has Rodgers led this team? Other than to himself. That’s not his fault. It isn’t his job to find a successor, but it has to make the organization wonder what they’re trying to achieve.
That’s not to dismiss what Rodgers did in 2025. It was a good and memorable year. He surpassed most expectations and was the team’s best quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired, low bar as it was. He was a great teammate and leader. He mentored Will Howard well. No matter what Howard’s career arc becomes, he benefitted from a season spent with Rodgers.
Still, Pittsburgh must break the cycle. If it’s a staring contest between Rodgers and the Steelers, one waiting for the other to make a move – which is what Rodgers intimated during his interview – then Pittsburgh must “blink” first. Monday begins the NFL’s legal tampering period. Deals for notable names will come together quickly, even if they can’t officially be signed until Wednesday.
If Rodgers hasn’t provided an answer by Monday, the Steelers must act as if. Act as if Rodgers is retiring. That he isn’t coming. Pursue other options. Break out the “other” scenario Mike McCarthy recently referred to. The one where Rodgers hangs up his cleats. It’s for the good of the franchise.
If Pittsburgh really wants, offer Rodgers a contract this weekend. Send it today. Tell him this is the deal. We want you, but we need to know your answer in order to plot out the offseason. Gainwell wants to know if Rodgers would be his quarterback. Prospective free agent receivers want to know the same.
Point is, Pittsburgh can’t keep treading water. Something has to happen beyond playing the waiting game. The answer can’t be do nothing. Or else, a franchise that’s felt stuck for a decade will sink in that much more.
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