NFL scheduler answers big question about Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has yet to make any public announcement about whether he will play football this season, but many fans wondered if Wednesday’s NFL schedule release provided a hint about the star quarterback’s plans. It does not sound like the league has any inside information, however.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will open up their 2025 season on the road against the New York Jets. That has the potential to be a revenge game for Rodgers if he decides to sign with the Steelers. Justin Fields is the Jets’ new starting quarterback and will also be going against his former team.

Some people think the NFL scheduled such a big matchup in Week 1 knowing Rodgers will be a Steeler at some point. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports on Wednesday asked Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning and scheduling, if that is the case.

“I think if the league knew, we probably would’ve scheduled that game for a national television window,” North told Jones. “So at worst, it’s Justin Fields against his old team. At best, it’s Aaron Rogers going up against one of his old teams. Look at what we did with Aaron Rogers’ first game the last two years (both Monday night games). If we knew something, I think you would’ve seen it reflected in the schedule. That being said, still a good game.”

North makes a good point. Rodgers and the Steelers against the Jets in Week 1 would be prime-time worthy, especially after the way Rodgers unloaded on his former team recently. But if Rodgers were to retire or sign with a different team, the NFL would risk being stuck with Mason Rudolph for one of its nationally televised Week 1 games.

The Steelers are still hoping to sign Rodgers, but the former NFL MVP says he has some things going on in his personal life that he needs to sort through.