Steelers' 2026 Ultimate Plan Could Determine Aaron Rodgers' Decision

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 offseason is in full swing as we approach this year's NFL Combine. The Steelers have plenty of holes to fill on the roster and none may be more important than wide receiver. Pittsburgh has lacked star power there for too long and it's cost them way too many games. As it sits now, they are setting up to select a wide receiver early in the 2026 NFL Draft, with either of their first two draft picks. However, that still may not be enough. They have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, and with his system, they'll need more than just that. While the Steelers decide who they want, Aaron Rodgers is watching closely. 

Rodgers signed with the Steelers late in the 2025 offseason because he was interested in playing for former head coach, Mike Tomlin. He felt that Tomlin and the supposed elite Steelers defense would be enough to get him another deep postseason run. While they won the AFC North and clinched a home playoff game, the Steelers proved again that they are nowhere near true Super Bowl contention. The defense has its struggles, but the offense's lack of talent is inexcusable. The Steelers made the decision to promote 35-year-old Adam Thielen and 31-year-old Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster later in the 2025 season. Rodgers certainly wasn't perfect, but his cast around him did not do him any favors. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly appeared on the Kaboly + Mack podcast recently where he discussed Rodgers and his plan for 2026. Kaboly suggests that Rodgers' decision could come down to how the Steelers plan to improve the offense. 

"I would imagine, I mean, if you're talking to McCarthy and talking to Omar [Khan] a number of times as they suggested they talk, they're not asking him what he's having for breakfast or how your ski game is going," Kaboly said. "You know, I want this guy back. I would really want to run it back. I'm sure he has his input. Does that mean they'll listen to him? No."

Rodgers has clearly had input on his offense in previous years. Being a future Hall of Famer, he's earned that right. However, that does not mean that is what's best for the team. When Rodgers joined the New York Jets several seasons back, he brought along a ton of personnel from the Green Bay Packers. His former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, and a few Packers receivers, including Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and even superstar Davante Adams. None of these moves worked out in the long run and all are no longer on the Jets' roster. 

The Steelers believe Rodgers' decision won't take as long as last year's. While they have consistently said this, that doesn't mean that Rodgers still won't take a while to decide, potentially delaying the Steelers' offseason plans. If the Steelers don't make any big moves for wide receivers, it's hard to imagine Rodgers wanting to run it back one last time, even with the familiarity at head coach with McCarthy.  

Steelers Cannot Do This Again

The Steelers' gamble in 2025 paid off, as they signed Rodgers in June. His decision won't take that long this time around as mentioned, but it very well could be post-draft. General Manager Omar Khan has recently said that Rodgers has no deadline, but the Steelers can't wait. The team needs to make their decision before March 11th when free agency opens up. If not, they're holding themselves hostage. They must force Rodgers to either re-sign or move on. 

This would allow them to target Malik Willis or trade for Mac Jones or Kyler Murray. Any one of those guys could turn into a long-term solution at quarterback under the right system in Pittsburgh. Waiting on Rodgers is neither worth it nor necessary in the eyes of many fans.