Aaron Rodgers has not informed Pittsburgh whether he intends to play in 2026, per NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
More specifically, there is no expectation that he will make that decision before the first round kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
This is not how it was supposed to go.
Owner Art Rooney II said publicly at the league meetings last month that he expected an answer from Rodgers before the draft. That timeline has quietly evaporated.
With Rodgers absent, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard is taking the majority of first-team reps, and Mason Rudolph remains the only other quarterback on the roster.
GM Omar Khan addressed the situation at his pre-draft press conference Monday, doing his best to project calm.
"We've had some great communication with Aaron," Khan said. "Nothing's changed, but it's all been positive and good. He knows how we feel about him and we know how he feels about us."
What Rodgers Is Actually Doing
Rodgers has not been idle.
Reportedly, the 42-year-old has been working out and staying in shape, which reads as a positive sign for Pittsburgh given that staying fit suggests he is at least preparing for the possibility of playing.
He has also been speaking regularly with McCarthy, which the Steelers believe is a meaningful connection given McCarthy's extensive relationship with Rodgers from their time together in Green Bay.
But speaking with a head coach and signing a contract are two different things.
🚨 Aaron Rodgers has said he plans to disappear from public view after retirement, including no TV work and no public life media presence.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 6, 2026
On a previous appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show', he said:
“When this is done, it’s Keyser Soze, and you won’t see me… I’m not doing…
The Steelers went through this exact situation last offseason.
Rodgers did not sign until June 5, 2025, well into the summer program.
He went on to play 16 games, completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and helped Pittsburgh win the AFC North at 10-7 before they were routed 30-6 by the Texans in the wild card round.
The expectation in the building appears to be that Rodgers returns if he decides to keep playing, and that the June timeline from last year will likely repeat itself.
How This Shapes the Draft
The Steelers hold the No. 21 overall pick and have 12 total selections.
The Rodgers uncertainty makes the quarterback question more urgent at the draft table.
Rapoport noted that Pittsburgh has no first-round grade on Alabama's Ty Simpson, and the lack of a Rodgers commitment adds pressure to at least consider taking a developmental quarterback somewhere over the course of seven rounds.
The #Steelers have not received word from Aaron Rodgers on his future and there is no expectation of a final decision prior to the NFL Draft, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2026
When minicamp begins today under new coach Mike McCarthy, Will Howard will be QB1. pic.twitter.com/niphLVfT3w
Khan confirmed the team continues to evaluate the situation and will not simply wait.
Cameron Heyward summed up the locker room's public stance Monday: "Just return, baby."
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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