The Pittsburgh Steelers opened voluntary minicamp Monday without a word from Aaron Rodgers about his 2026 plans, dashing hopes of a draft-stage announcement that had circulated for weeks.
Owner Art Rooney II had told reporters in Arizona last month he expected an answer before the draft, but now the team says it hasn’t heard from Rodgers and doesn’t anticipate a decision before round one begins Thursday.
General manager Omar Khan acknowledged in February that neither side wanted the process to drag on as it did last year, when Rodgers didn’t sign until early June.
Yet the stalemate continues, leaving Pittsburgh to proceed with Will Howard, Mason Rudolph and any additions from the draft or free agency while Rodgers remains silent.
Rodgers’ postseason lift revived mutual interest after a surprising coaching change
Just seven months ago, a second stint together seemed implausible after Rodgers’ inconsistent 2024 showing.
But his 16-game stretch in 2025 — 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 66% completion rate — helped Pittsburgh win the AFC North and reach the wild-card round.
That performance renewed dialogue between Rodgers and the Steelers, even as the team made the surprising choice to replace 19-year head coach Mike Tomlin with veteran Mike McCarthy, a hometown figure whose familiarity with Rodgers was noted by multiple sources.
Rooney II’s late-March confidence in a pre-draft answer now looks premature, given the silence from Rodgers’ camp.
Howard steps into the starter role as Pittsburgh hedges its bets
With no commitment from Rodgers, Will Howard — a 2025 Day 3 pick who saw no regular-season action as a rookie — will accept the first-team reps in spring workouts.
The organization has expressed rising confidence in Howard’s development, though Pittsburgh views him as a secondary option at best.
If Rodgers’ absence extends into training camp, the Steelers may necessitate to draft another developmental quarterback and potentially trade Mason Rudolph to avoid a roster crunch by late summer.
For now, Rudolph remains the only other quarterback under contract beyond Howard and the unresolved Rodgers situation.
Minicamp begins under new rules, with Rodgers’ fate shaping draft strategy
The voluntary minicamp consists of walkthroughs and individual instruction, with no live drills between offense and defense permitted under the current collective bargaining agreement.
Rodgers’ uncertainty has sparked speculation about a quarterback selection in the draft, but sources agree Pittsburgh is unlikely to apply a first-round pick on the position in what is widely regarded as a weak class.
Mock drafts from Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Charles McDonald project an offensive lineman in the first round, with any quarterback selection expected in later rounds if it occurs at all.
The team’s decision not to pursue a quarterback in free agency further suggests Pittsburgh is operating on the assumption Rodgers will return for his 22nd NFL season.
Fans and front office brace for another cycle of waiting
Many Steelers supporters remain skeptical about bringing Rodgers back for another year, wary of a sequel that might not recapture last year’s magic.
Yet hosting the NFL Draft for the first time ever presents a natural platform for Rodgers to announce a return — an opportunity the team appears to have lost for now.
As one NBC Sports report framed it, the silence may be intended to spare fans the disappointment of a staged WWE-style sprint to the stage that never comes.
Until Rodgers breaks his silence, Pittsburgh will continue navigating the offseason with one eye on the present and another on an uncertain future.
Will Aaron Rodgers announce his decision during the NFL Draft?
No. Multiple sources confirm the Steelers do not expect a decision from Rodgers before the draft begins Thursday, and he has not indicated any plans to build an announcement on stage.
Who is taking the first-team quarterback reps in spring workouts?
Will Howard, the Steelers’ 2025 Day 3 pick, is receiving the starter’s work at quarterback during voluntary minicamp and spring practices.
Are the Steelers likely to draft a quarterback in the first round?
No. Sources agree Pittsburgh is not expected to use a first-round pick on a quarterback due to a weak class, with mock drafts projecting an offensive lineman instead.
What happens if Rodgers does not return?
The Steelers would likely need to select another developmental quarterback in the draft and could face a roster limit issue requiring a trade of Mason Rudolph or another veteran by late summer.
