Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has seemed to have been contemplating retirement for some years now, and some thought this past season was going to be his last. In 2025, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Even in his 21st season in the NFL, Rodgers still proved to be an effective quarterback and made throws that many other quarterbacks other than Rodgers can’t.
The four-time MVP and possible future Pro Football Hall of Famer has had an illustrious career, spanning from 2005 onward for the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets, and as of 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers has dealt with injury, potential retirement,d etc. But Rodgers isn’t done yet.
Aaron Rodgers Likely Back With The Steelers In 2026
It was reported by Kevin Patra of NFL.com, along with Ian Rapoport, who first broke the news on Thursday, that Rodgers is likely to visit the Steelers on Friday. Nick Shook of NFL.com also stated that Pittsburgh put an Unrestricted Free Agent tender on Rodgers, which could grant him $13.6 million in the 2026 season.
What Rodgers Possibly Being Back in 2026 Means for Steelers
With Rodgers possibly returning to the Steelers in 2026, he’d be reunited with Mike McCarthy. McCarthy and Rodgers were in Green Bay together from 2006 to 2018. They were able to win Super Bowl 45 against the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 ironically enough. Now the pair are playing and coaching for the very team they beat in the Super Bowl years ago.
Rodgers seems to be keen on what coaches are at the helm when he’s the quarterback and his familiarity with McCarthy can be a positive team, being that they both know what to expect and know the system they can thrive with.
Steelers Quarterback Situation
The Pittsburgh Steelers did draft former Ohio State quarterback and National Champion Will Howard with the 185th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard is a quarterback who can win games, going 14-2 as a starter in 2024 for the Buckeyes. Howard was a good prospect and displayed strength running and throwing the football. Howard didn’t play much if it all in 2025 due to Rodgers being there but it was believed that he’d be the one to take over once Rodgers exits.
But Pittsburgh also drafted former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 76th overall pick. Allar went 26-9 as a starter from 2022-2025 for the Nittany Lions. Allar was viewed as a top quarterback prospect but as injured in October of 2025 with a broken ankle that required surgery, which ended his season. Pittsburgh still got a great value for the pick. But there’s still uncertainty on who will take the reign when Rodgers retires. That is a dilemma that the Steelers will need to address.
Is this Aaron Rodgers Last NFL Season?
This very well could be Rodgers’ last NFL season on 2026, given that it will be year 22 and he’ll be 43 during the season. He’s not the only quarterback to be in the league this long. Tom Brady retired after 23 seasons. Rodgers is widely recognized as one of the best NFL quarterbacks ever and the Steelers having a great season this year can solidify that even more.
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