The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting a decision from 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, raising plenty of concerns — at least externally — about the team’s ability to compete in 2026 under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
For longtime Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, there’s no doubt about it. Rodgers is returning for his second season with the Black and Gold.
In a mailbag on X earlier in the week, Kaboly doubled down on that belief, telling readers to “trust me” on Rodgers’ future.
“I believe the Steelers know already, or at least have a really good idea, that he’s coming back,” Kaboly writes in his mailbag of Rodgers. “They think they will hear something definitely before the draft.
“Trust me, he’s coming back, so don’t overthink this,” Kaboly added.
Rodgers’ timeline regarding a decision has changed consistently since the end of the 2025 season and the painful loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
At the time, especially following Mike Tomlin’s resignation, all signs pointed to Rodgers retiring and riding off into the sunset, never to be seen or heard from again.
But the hiring of McCarthy has opened the door back up for a Rodgers return. The Steelers have stated as such, and McCarthy has said time and time again he wants his former quarterback to play for him again.
Recently, Rodgers revealed during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that he had no contract offer from the Steelers to mull over, nor did he have a deadline to make a decision. Still, the Steelers have been adamant that it won’t drag out like last season, when Rodgers waited until mandatory minicamp in June to sign.
Based on Kaboly’s response in his mailbag, the Steelers believe they’ll know one way or another from Rodgers before the draft.
If he returns, the QB room is set with him as the starter and Will Howard in Year 2 likely getting a chance to further develop, while Mason Rudolph is the veteran backup. If Rodgers retires, maybe the Steelers pivot and draft a quarterback, like Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck in the third round.
Or they could sign Kirk Cousins to be the starter as they still try to compete.
Kaboly thinks it’s clear what will happen, though, and No. 8 will be back under center as the starter and leader for the Black and Gold in 2026. He’s staking his reputation on it.
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