The Aaron Rodgers saga for the second straight offseason might finally be coming to an end this weekend.
Reports surfaced from both the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show, and then NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport Thursday that Rodgers was expected to fly into Pittsburgh Friday and meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers for further discussions over the weekend.
While Rapoport added Friday morning that a signing doesn’t appear imminent at the moment, it’s big that Rodgers is coming into town to further discuss the 2026 outlook with the franchise.
Appearing on Good Morning Football Friday, Rapoport revealed the latest in the Rodgers situation, and what the weekend will look like between the future Hall of Fame quarterback and the franchise still awaiting a decision from him.
“Here’s my understanding of where the situation stands for Aaron Rodgers. He is expected to visit Pittsburgh today, likely going to be there through the rest of the weekend to really just continue conversations with Steelers brass, meet with players, just kind of be around the facility that he will likely join this coming season,” Rapoport said of Rodgers.
Rapoport doubled down on his reporting from Thursday, adding that his understanding is that Rodgers will play in 2026, and that it will likely be for the Steelers. Of course, Pittsburgh recently played a rarely-used UFA tender tag on Rodgers, protecting themselves from potentially losing him to another team.
But with how things went for Rodgers in Pittsburgh last season, and some of the new faces on the coaching staff in the Steel City that he has familiarity with, it always made sense that he’d run it back with the Steelers for another season at this stage of his career.
However, despite that belief, things have dragged out once again. The Steelers believed they’d get an answer from Rodgers before free agency. That didn’t happen. They then believed they’d get an answer before the NFL Draft, and that didn’t occur. But now, they appear set to get an answer.
According to Rapoport, one thing Rodgers continued to do behind the scenes seemed to indicate he’d be back in 2026.
“My understanding is Rodgers has also kind of continued the conversation and the acclimation process with his receivers, getting to know some of the old ones, and some of the new ones like Michael Pittman [Jr.], just kind of furthering the thought that he is expected to be the Steelers quarterback in 2026,” Rapoport added. “Not saying it’s imminent that he’s gonna sign this weekend. There is still no deal. We still have to discuss things right now on the books for $15 million. Next year remains to be seen, whether that’s gonna be the final contract or whether Rodgers is going to get a little bit more.
“But when all is said and done, the expectation is that Rodgers is back with these Steelers next season with Mike McCarthy where he can hit the ground running and the Steelers will once again be in the same position they were last year with a good big name, well-known quarterback, a pretty good defense, and absolutely a chance to go and get it.”
It’s not a surprise that Rodgers has been getting to know his new receivers. Michael Pittman Jr. has stated multiple times this offseason that he’s talked with Rodgers and has gotten to know him better. Prior to being traded to the Steelers, Pittman had worked out in the same offseason facility with Rodgers throughout their careers as California natives, so there is some familiarity there.
Now though, the process has picked up the pace as the two have gotten to know each other further in preparation for the 2026 season.
Despite that development, Rapoport added that the Steelers never really, truly knew if Rodgers was going to return. They still don’t, to be fair. There’s a lot to discuss this weekend, but the good news is Rodgers is expected to be in town and have those face-to-face conversations.
Hopefully that leads a to signed contract so the storyline of will he or won’t he ends, and the focus can truly shift to football for the Black and Gold moving forward.
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