Aaron Rodgers is training but the Steelers voluntary minicamp is without certainty about the QB
Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding whether to play in the 2026 season, has been working to stay in shape for the preseason, according to a source, and that looks like good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers because the NFL team has him as their starting quarterback.
But here’s some troubling news for the club: Rodgers, who has been in regular talks with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, has not fully committed to play through 2026 for the Steelers.
Anyone else.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs off the field after a game against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Khan: Communication is ongoing
“We’ve had great communication with Aaron and nothing has changed, but it’s always good and good,” general manager Omar Khan said on Monday. “I told you this in March when we met, you know how we feel about him and we know how he feels about us.”
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Now I want that sentence where Khan said Rodgers is definitely playing for the Steelers ….
No, it’s not there.
The best way to describe the relationship that each team “feels” right now is a long love affair because Rodgers was on his way to Pittsburgh, and the Steelers on Monday opened voluntary camp in Rodgers’ absence.
Second-year quarterback Will Howard was expected to repeat first-team offense during camp, which runs through Wednesday.
And suddenly the excitement that Rodgers will make his commitment to the Steelers in the NFL draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh starting Thursday evening, ends.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) speaks at a press conference introducing him as the next head coach of the Steelers as owner Art Rooney II (left) listens at the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Rooney Awaits Decision Now
It should be noted that it was the Steelers who led everyone to believe that Rodgers’ decision could be made this week. Club owner Art Rooney II told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the NFL’s annual meetings that he expects to be convinced yet.
Steelers ownership hopes to get clarity on Aaron Rodgers’ future ‘in the next month or so’
“I expect we’ll have an answer before the draft,” Rooney said.
Khan, noting that Rodgers took until June to confirm his decision to play the 2025 season with the Steelers, said at the NFL Combine in February that the plan will not be drawn out this year.
“I think that no team wants to struggle as it happened last year,” said Khan.
Well, here we are.
Rodgers, by the way, has two options:
Play the Steelers.
Or retire.
There is no option C because the only NFL team that has not made other plans for their starting quarterback job is the Arizona Cardinals and joining a rebuilding program would not be attractive to Rodgers.
Quarterback Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Ty Simpson Option?
It’s possible, depending on what the Steelers scouts and Khan decide, that the Steelers are looking hard at drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Simpson is the only QB prospect not named with Fernando Mendoza a top first-round pick. So it might be wise for the Steelers to consider him long-term as an investment with their No. 21 overall pick, whether they have Rodgers or not.
If Rodgers retires from playing and quits in the next few days, the Steelers may be looking for a player like Simpson as a possible addition to their quarterback room.
Even if Rodgers tells the Steelers that he is coming back, the club may still have to consider Simpson in the process because Rodgers is 42 years old and will turn 43 during the season.
Khan said the team’s decision about the quarterback in the draft will have nothing to do with Rodgers.
“Yes, we will check it,” said Khan. “That doesn’t change our evaluation process. We’re still putting guys up (on the draft board), where they need to be, and, you know, we’ll just see how it goes.”
