Pittsburgh Steelers fans are close to losing patience when it comes to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and clarification on whether he will return to the team for the 2026 NFL season or not. With rookie minicamp opening this weekend, rumors about a Friday visit from Rodgers have increased despite no formal confirmation from the team before the writing of this article. If Rodgers does visit, it could signal his return.
Although longtime beat reporter Mark Kaboly stated, “The organization has not been informed of this development,” others – like Ian Rapoport – say sources indicate the visit is to have conversations about a return to the team.
An update on Aaron Rodgers pic.twitter.com/YnDRFdgfqq
— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) May 7, 2026
Rodgers has not made any formal announcements recently, but in March indicated he was staying in shape and had communicated with the team. Head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan have been consistent in admitting conversations with the veteran had been ongoing.
Just a friendly reminder, this is directly from the mouth of Aaron Rodgers back in March:
“I’ve talked to…”
“Conversations to be had…”
“There hasn’t been any deadlines or contracts.”
This was always the plan. We are now at the “conversations” and “contracts” phase. pic.twitter.com/ilpcuudMF3
— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) May 7, 2026
The likelihood of Rodgers just popping in to say “hello” and walking back out the door without the team having any knowledge of such a possibility is almost laughable.
More likely is the fact that no one “in the know” is saying much because the Steelers exercised the right to match any offer another team might float for Rodgers (an URFA tender) and they want to have a sit-down, in-person meeting with the quarterback to talk about the future without outside noise.
Assumptions that Rodgers is seeking a higher-paying contract has been tossed up and shot down several times this offseason. He played on a one-year contract worth $13.65 million. Under the terms of the tender, the Steelers have already increased that number to $15.5 million. Money may come up, but it is highly unlikely that will be the sticking point in any discussions.
And he did all of this with a broken wrist and one legitimate receiver pic.twitter.com/GTZbQiaJBh
— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) May 7, 2026
A more likely talking point between Rodgers and the Steelers will be expectations placed on him as their QB1. Pittsburgh has Will Howard and Drew Allar on the roster; neither has taken a single NFL snap. Mason Rudolph, a veteran backup who got some in-game snaps in relief of Rodgers, is still rostered. Rodgers may want a say in how much mentoring he is expected to do – or even who he feels would be best to back him up.
The Steelers have decisions to make if Rodgers does agree to return. Do they roster four quarterbacks? Do they move on from one of the four? Do they designate someone to IR?
Without speculating further, a visit from Rodgers has implications. That is indisputable. It could signal his return to the Steelers in 2026, but there are a lot of variables likely to be discussed between parties involved before a deal is agreed upon.