The Pittsburgh Steelers have already given quarterback Aaron Rodgers a deadline to decide if he's playing in 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy revealed he would love for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return as the team's starting quarterback in 2026.
"Definitely. I don't see why you wouldn't," McCarthy said Tuesday during his introductory press conference. "I think just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons, I think when players — to see Mel Blount here — when guys are up in that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress. I think that's very important. The game is so emotional. What these men commit to and they put into it, I think that time away is important."
However, it doesn't seem like the Steelers are willing to wait as long as they did last offseason for Rodgers to decide.
According to Jeff Hathhorn of Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan , Steelers general manager Omar Khan told Rodgers that he must let them know if he is planning to continue playing next season "in a month."
That would give Pittsburgh some much needed information just ahead of the start of free agency. Many fans don't want to see Rodgers leading the offense again next season, but there aren't a whole lot of better options, either.
Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis will likely be the top quarterback available while veterans Tua Tagovailoa , Kyler Murray , Kirk Cousins , Geno Smith and Justin Fields could also join him on the open market if they were to be cut.
The Steelers can't find themselves in a similar situation to that a year ago, though. They waited months for Rodgers to officially announce his plans to play for them and would have been in big trouble if he decided not to.
Rodgers has some extra motivation this time around. He and McCarthy worked together with the Packers for 13 seasons and now they could reunite in Pittsburgh.
The 42-year-old completed 327 of his 498 passes (65.7%) for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 7, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Report: Steelers Give Aaron Rodgers Deadline to Decide About Return
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