Report: Steelers Have Offseason Plan With Aaron Rodgers

Florio added that the Steelers are "in no hurry" for Rodgers to make his decision. He didn't sign with Pittsburgh until last June.

Another prolonged deliberation process could create an opportunity for Will Howard to compete for playing time if Rodgers retires.

"While they don’t anticipate that the situation will take quite as long as it did last year to resolve itself, they’re content to focus on developing second-year quarterback Will Howard," Florio wrote. "With Rodgers not there for the offseason program, Howard has a chance to become QB1 over Mason Rudolph."

A Rodgers return is beginning to gain steam on the hot stove. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Sunday that "odds are increasing" that Rodgers will play for Pittsburgh.

McCarthy has reportedly spoken to Rodgers frequently since taking the Steelers job, and star wide receiver DK Metcalf wants the four-time MVP back. The Steelers hope Rodgers will decide before free agency opens next month.

Meanwhile, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Rodgers is mentally "in a much better place" after a season in Pittsburgh than he was during his two years with the New York Jets.

"He greatly valued his experience in Pittsburgh, and teammates raved about him, both publicly and in exit meetings with the team," Fowler wrote. "The Steelers have been open to a Rodgers return since early in the season, and I don't sense that has changed."

Signing Rodgers didn't change much for the Steelers, who went 10-7 with a first-round playoff loss for the third straight season. The future Hall of Famer still appears to represent a better short-term option than any available alternatives.