Though it may have initially been aspirational at best, it seems as if there is a real chance Aaron Rodgers returns to the Steelers in 2026.
Just don't expect the same prolonged timeline on a decision.
"I think the circumstances are a little different, but just conversations we've had, I don't think either side wants to have this drag on like it did last year," Steelers general manager Omar Khan said Tuesday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Rodgers certainly performed well enough in 2025 to warrant consideration for giving it another go in 2026, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards and a 24-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first season with the Steelers. Equally as important was the expectation that came with him, visible both in Rodgers' on-field outbursts at his teammates and also in the positive results achieved, giving the Steelers veteran (and admittedly curmudgeonly) leadership that helped Pittsburgh win the AFC North.
Had Rodgers not joined Mike Tomlin in the Steel City, it's likely the AFC North champion Steelers don't reach the playoffs at all. Now, however, a different coach will lead Pittsburgh into 2026; fortunately, Rodgers knows new head coach Mike McCarthy quite well.
"The door's open to have Aaron back. I've had conversations with him," Khan said. "I spoke to him last week. Mike McCarthy has spoke to him. He knows how we feel about him. Right now, we're proceeding. ... He's a free agent, and he's not on the roster, but he knows how we feel about him."
Rodgers is notoriously patient with his offseasons, and it's often difficult to determine what exactly motivates him in his decision-making process, especially over the last five years. He's bristled at Green Bay's attempt to usher him toward retirement, hoped to find a happy ending in New York that was certainly anything but happy, and seemed to reach an ideal compromise between the two in Pittsburgh, where most believed he'd spend one final season. His performance and the difference he made for the Steelers, however, opened the door for a potential sequel, and after Tomlin stepped down, it seemed Rodgers might be open to heading elsewhere once again.
When the Steelers hired McCarthy, a bridge toward running it back opened up. Time will tell, though, if Rodgers sees himself in Pittsburgh in 2026.
"That's a question for Aaron. He knows how we feel and we know how he feels about us," Khan said. "It was a good experience for both sides. ... There's a mutual respect there."
Regardless of Rodgers' decision, the Steelers know they need a long-term answer at the position. The 2026 class isn't very strong at quarterback, but intriguing candidates like Packers backup Malik Willis are expected to be available in free agency. 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard also returns as an interesting developmental option, though the Steelers didn't get much of a look at him in his rookie season due to injury.
"Like all the fans, we're all searching for the next franchise player, the guy that's gonna be our quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years. It might be Will," Khan said. "We don't know. We're excited to work with Will. Really liked him coming out last year. Unfortunately, he got hurt and we didn't get a chance to see him in the preseason. But we've watched his progression in practice, and it's been exciting. I know the new coaching staff, specially coach McCarthy, is really excited to work with him."
For Khan, it's all about fit. He knows the Steelers need a signal-caller built to play in the rough-and-tumble AFC North.
"There's several traits, but I'll say we have to find the right quarterback that's gonna be an AFC North quarterback," Khan said. "Playing in the AFC North, there's nothing like it. Cold weather, the rivalries, the division, the physicality of the division. It's gotta be an AFC North quarterback."
Multiple options appear to be available for the Steelers as they venture into 2026. We'll see if the most prominent chess piece -- Rodgers -- is interested in returning to the board.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
