Aaron Rodgers helped the Pittsburgh Steelers reach the playoffs last year in his first season with the team. It’s unclear if it will be his only one with the franchise, as he’s currently a free agent and also apparently considering retirement.
NFL insider Adam Schefter recently provided an update on the situation and revealed what their plan is if the veteran quarterback moves on.
Steelers Eye Will Howard If Aaron Rodgers Doesn’t Return
It has seemingly become an annual event for Rodgers to contemplate his future each offseason. He has apparently considered retiring in each of the past few years and has also debated which team he would want to play for if he did return for another season.
This situation is reportedly playing out during the 2026 NFL offseason, after his one-year contract with the Steelers expired. Schefter recently outlined where the franchise stands on his potential return to Pittsburgh, as well as their quarterback plans if he doesn’t come back.
“They are hopeful and optimistic that he will come back, but if he doesn’t … I think that they believe that they have a quarterback prospect in Will Howard,” Schefter said.
“Now, it’s hard to bank your whole season on a quarterback that we haven’t seen play in the regular season, but they believe that they have something in Will Howard, and they believe that Mike McCarthy’s strength is developing good, young, smart quarterbacks,” he added.
The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach this offseason after Mike Tomlin stepped down, and Schefter apparently believes this is affecting their approach to the quarterback position.
He continued with more details about their alleged plan if Rodgers doesn’t return for another season.
“[The Steelers] are hoping Aaron Rodgers comes back, and if he doesn’t, they would then be prepared to have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster. … It’s the reason that I think they don’t feel rushed and compelled to go out and add anybody right now.”
—@AdamSchefter on… pic.twitter.com/u0zpVj2KXT
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 10, 2026
“They are hoping Rodgers comes back, and if he doesn’t, they would then be prepared to have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster. They would obviously have to add somebody else, but it’s the reason that I think they don’t feel rushed and compelled to go out and add anybody right now,” Schefter said.
Rodgers finished just No.29 among all quarterbacks in PFSN’s Impact Rankings for last season, so despite making the playoffs, his best days are likely far behind him. An interesting twist is a potential reunion with McCarthy, as neither of them has won a Super Bowl since their time together with the Green Bay Packers.
This could make his return more desirable, though Schefter reported they are comfortable moving on without him.
