The Steelers have a timeline on Aaron Rodgers’ decision about his future.
Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he expects an answer from the four-time league MVP quarterback on whether he’ll return to the Steelers or retire before the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins April 23.
“When I talked to him and Omar (Khan) talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year,” Rooney said Sunday of Rodgers’ decision.
“I’m not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.”
Though it’s possible Rodgers, 42, could bolt for another team — the potential fourth of his 21-year career — the Steelers feel confident he’d choose them if he returns.
In his lone year in the Steel City last season, Rodgers accumulated 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He led Pittsburgh to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance, with the Texans demolishing the club in a 30-6 wild-card loss.
In that game, Rodgers finished with a 52 percent completion mark and just 146 yards through the air. The Steelers failed to even get in the end zone in the contest.
Across the first 20 years of his career, Rodgers established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the game, winning four MVP awards, including back-to-back nods with the Packers in 2020 and 2021.
Since leaving Green Bay, Rodgers has still shown promise in stints with the Jets and Steelers, but he hasn’t and likely never will return to that same form.
Rodgers originally signed with the Steelers on a one-year, $13.65 million deal last June, with $10 million guaranteed.
New Steelers receiver Michael Pittman Jr. added he thinks Rodgers will be back, though.
“I think that he wants to play,” Pittman said on “Up & Adams” last week. “Just knowing Aaron prior to this, I just think that he’s going to try and play as long as he can. He’s a beast.”
If Rodgers doesn’t return, the Steelers’ options are limited. Sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran backup Mason Rudolph are the only other signal-callers on their depth chart.
But Rooney thinks Rodgers’ decision will come soon.
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