With two weeks before the start of free agency, Aaron Rodgers has not decided on whether he’ll return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran enjoyed a productive season with a division title and a playoff berth, but retirement remains an option for him.
Aaron Rodgers To Make Quick Decision on Whether He’ll Play in 2026
The one thing that Steelers fans can be assured of is that, unlike in 2025, the team won’t have to wait until June.
The veteran quarterback is mulling retirement from the NFL.
After two decades in the league, including a Super Bowl ring and four MVPs, Rodgers is still undecided on whether he’ll play in 2026. He previously said 2025 would be his last year, but a successful season raised hopes that he would return for one more year.
General manager Omar Khan spoke with Bryant McFadden during the NFL Combine and addressed Rodgers’ situation. Khan noted that they had “a great experience with Aaron” before saying, “He knows how we feel.
We’ve had some good conversations, and I don’t foresee this going like it did last year”, related to how late Rodgers signed with the team.
Steelers reporter Andrew Fillipponi doesn’t want the quarterback’s decision to affect free agency. “Omar Khan doesn’t expect Aaron Rodgers decision to drag on”, he tweeted. “Free agency starts in two weeks. We better have a decision by then. You can’t let an old man hold the team hostage.”
Steelers GM Omar Khan on the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning in 2026:
“It was a great experience with Aaron…he knows how we feel…we’ve had some good conversations…pretty certain we’ll have an answer sooner than later.”
🎙️: @BMac_SportsTalk pic.twitter.com/ieZ75qLiHH
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 24, 2026
Another Steelers reporter, Nick Farabaugh, pointed out how new head coach Mike McCarthy has also contacted the quarterback, saying, “Omar Khan says that he and Mike McCarthy have been in contact with Aaron Rodgers. Says at this point all options are on the table. But he does not expect this to play out the same way it did last year where they waited.”
“Just wrapped up a 20-min presser with #Steelers GM Omar Khan here in Indy”, reporter Alan Saunders said. “He said the team would like to have Aaron Rodgers back at quarterback. Added the team is still looking for a long-term option, and did mention Will Howard as a possibility.”
Mark Kaboly, another Steelers reporter, tweeted a video of Khan’s press conference, in which the general manager says, “We certainly would welcome Aaron back. It was a really good experience. He was great to have around, but the reality is, we’re all searching for the next guy.”
Rodgers, who’s 42, is a free agent and could also sign with another team if he receives a good proposal. The expectation is that the quarterback, who finished No. 29 with a 71.4 grade in our PFSN NFL QB Impact Metric, will decide his future in the next few weeks.
