Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding whether to play in the 2026 season, has been working to stay in shape in preparation for the season, according to a source, and that seems like good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers because the NFL team has a spot for him as their starting quarterback.
But here’s the sobering news for the club: Rodgers, who has spoken regularly with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, has not yet made a final commitment to play in 2026 for the Steelers.
Or anyone else.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Khan: Communication continues
“We’ve had good communication with Aaron and nothing has changed, but that’s always positive and good,” General Manager Omar Khan said Monday. “I told you this in March when we met, he knows how we feel about him and we know how he feels about us.”
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Now looking for that sentence where Khan says Rodgers is definitely playing for the Steelers…
No, not there.
The best way to describe the affinity each party “feels” at the moment is a long-distance romance, because Rodgers has been traveling and not in Pittsburgh while the Steelers opened voluntary minicamp on Monday in Rodgers’ absence.
Second-year quarterback Will Howard was expected to take a majority of first-team repetitions with the offense during camp, which runs through Wednesday.
And suddenly, the excitement that Rodgers might commit to the Steelers at the NFL draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh starting Thursday night, is losing steam.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) speaks at a press conference introducing him as the next head coach of the Steelers as owner Art Rooney II (left) listens to the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Rooney expected a decision now
It should be noted that it was the Steelers who led everyone to believe a Rodgers decision could be made this week. Club owner Art Rooney II told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the NFL’s annual meetings that he expected certainty now.
Steelers ownership hopes for clarity on Aaron Rodgers’ future ‘in the next month or so’
“I expect we’ll get an answer before the draft,” Rooney said.
Khan, who noted that Rodgers took until June to confirm his decision to play the 2025 season for the Steelers, said at the NFL Combine in February that the process would not be as long this year.
“I think neither side wants to have this move on like it did last year,” Khan said.
And yet here we are.
By the way, Rodgers has two choices to choose from:
Play for the Steelers.
Or retire.
There is no option C because the only NFL team that hasn’t already made other plans for its starting quarterback job is the Arizona Cardinals, and joining a rebuilding program wouldn’t be enticing for Rodgers.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson passes during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Ty Simpson a possibility?
It’s possible, depending on what Steelers talent evaluators and Khan decide, that the Steelers are taking a hard look at drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Simpson is the only QB prospect not named Fernando Mendoza with serious hopes of being picked in the first round. So it could be smart for the Steelers to look at him as an investment with their No. 21 overall pick, whether they have Rodgers or not.
If Rodgers goes off the ramp to play and retires in the next few days, the Steelers might want a player like Simpson as a possible addition to their quarterback room.
Even if Rodgers tells the Steelers he’ll be back, it might be appropriate for the club to still consider Simpson in the draft because Rodgers is 42 years old and will turn 43 during the season.
Khan said the club’s decision on a quarterback in the draft will have nothing to do with Rodgers.
“Yes, we will evaluate it,” Khan said. “It doesn’t change our evaluation process. We’re still putting guys up (in the draft) where they need to be, and you know, we’ll just see how it shakes out.”
