Despite some confidence from inside the organization, it doesn't appear Aaron Rodgers will give the Steelers an answer for his plans for 2026 prior to the start of the NFL Draft.
According to a report by NFL Network, the Steelers have not received word from Rodgers on his future and there is no expectation of an answer prior to the start of the draft. And with the three-day voluntary minicamp getting underway today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Will Howard is expected to take the QB1 reps.
I reported several weeks ago that the Steelers had a soft line of demarcation at the 2026 NFL Draft for Rodgers. It wasn't a firm deadline, but communicated that they'd prefer to have this wrapped up before then. Rodgers, of course, is under no obligation to do so.
From the Steelers' perspective, this won't change how they approach the draft. The team has already done a lot of homework on a pretty underwhelming class. They met formally with Alabama's Ty Simpson, Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami (FL)'s Carson Beck during the NFL Scouting Combine. Then they followed up with both Allar and Beck by bringing both in for pre-draft visits. The Steelers also hosted North Dakota State's Cole Payton and Arkansas' Taylen Green for pre-draft visits, as well.
No matter what happens with Rodgers, the Steelers were always expected to take a swing on a quarterback in this draft. But maybe, just maybe, Rodgers dragging his feet will make them a little more urgent by taking a quarterback earlier on, maybe even as early as the second round. The door is still open for Rodgers to return, but with the commitment to Howard at voluntary minicamp and potential for adding another young quarterback, plans are already in motion for addressing the position in the long term.
THE ASYLUM
Report: No Rodgers decision ahead of draft
Despite some confidence from inside the organization, it doesn't appear Aaron Rodgers will give the Steelers an answer for his plans for 2026 prior to the start of the NFL Draft.
According to a report by NFL Network, the Steelers have not received word from Rodgers on his future and there is no expectation of an answer prior to the start of the draft. And with the three-day voluntary minicamp getting underway today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Will Howard is expected to take the QB1 reps.
I reported several weeks ago that the Steelers had a soft line of demarcation at the 2026 NFL Draft for Rodgers. It wasn't a firm deadline, but communicated that they'd prefer to have this wrapped up before then. Rodgers, of course, is under no obligation to do so.
From the Steelers' perspective, this won't change how they approach the draft. The team has already done a lot of homework on a pretty underwhelming class. They met formally with Alabama's Ty Simpson, Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami (FL)'s Carson Beck during the NFL Scouting Combine. Then they followed up with both Allar and Beck by bringing both in for pre-draft visits. The Steelers also hosted North Dakota State's Cole Payton and Arkansas' Taylen Green for pre-draft visits, as well.
No matter what happens with Rodgers, the Steelers were always expected to take a swing on a quarterback in this draft. But maybe, just maybe, Rodgers dragging his feet will make them a little more urgent by taking a quarterback earlier on, maybe even as early as the second round. The door is still open for Rodgers to return, but with the commitment to Howard at voluntary minicamp and potential for adding another young quarterback, plans are already in motion for addressing the position in the long term.
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