The Pittsburgh Steelers are still hoping to re-sign Aaron Rodgers in NFL free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2026 NFL offseason with a major questions to answer regarding the status of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
After playing the 2025 season on a one-year contract, Rodgers is set to hit the open free agency market once again. There is a chance that the 41-year-old signal caller could choose to retire, but he has seemingly hinted at having an interest in playing at least one more season.
Simply returning to the Steelers is on the table for Rodgers. Pittsburgh has been open about wanting him back, with new head coach Mike McCarthy being the most vocal about that desire.
Of course, McCarthy and Rodgers have a good history together. They have a lot of success alongside of each other during their days with the Green Bay Packers.
However, there is also a chance that Rodgers could receive overtures from other quarterback-needy teams. One to keep an eye on is the Minnesota Vikings, who struggled through a highly inconsistent season from second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Keeping that in mind, Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has revealed his prediction for Rodgers. He believes that the veteran star will indeed choose to sign with the Vikings.
"While it may be just a hunch, I don’t see Rodgers walking away from the chance to pass Peyton Manning on the NFL’s all-time touchdown list. And I don’t see Kevin O’Connell walking away from the chance to add meaningful depth to his roster," Orr wrote.
"While Rodgers and Zach Wilson ended up not being the developmental bridge the Jets had hoped, McCarthy must realize he’s in a similar sink-or-swim situation and can take copious notes."
This would be a nightmare scenario for the Steelers. Losing Rodgers would leave them with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as their current starting options. They would either need to start a non-ideal quarterback or pivot and sign, trade, or draft one.
Rodgers played well during the 2025 season. He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while completing 65.7 percent of his passes. It's clear that he still has some gas left in the tank.
Bringing Rodgers back should be Pittsburgh's top priority when free agency opens. There is a good chance the Steelers will face some competition for his services, but hopefully they are able to come out on top.