Steelers players reportedly 'counting on' this outcome to latest Aaron Rodgers saga

A Monday report hinted that some people within the Pittsburgh Steelers are growing at least a little frustrated with Aaron Rodgers as he keeps the team guessing about whether or not he will be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback for the 2026 season.  

During a Monday appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Matt Hasselbeck suggested that those inside the Steelers locker room are still willing to happily welcome Rodgers back with open arms this spring. 

Is Aaron Rodgers still the Steelers' guy?

"I was at the draft," Hasselbeck said about the player-selection process that took place in Pittsburgh in April, per Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot. "I was in Pittsburgh, and just around a lot of the current Steelers guys. Like, [Rodgers is] their guy. They're fully, fully counting on him showing up in Pittsburgh and trying to make a run at the [Super Bowl]. So, it would be shocking to me if it did go the other way."

As recently as Monday, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" insisted that Rodgers is "coming back" to start for Pittsburgh for one more season. Kaboly has said on multiple occasions that the future Hall of Famer could re-sign before the organized team practice activity portion of the Steelers' offseason program begins on May 18.

Last offseason, Rodgers waited until right before Pittsburgh's mandatory minicamp in June to ink his deal. This year, the Steelers' mandatory minicamp is scheduled to run from June 2-4.

Aaron Rodgers doesn't "mind" keeping outsiders in suspense? 

"Do I think he ends up in Pittsburgh still? Yes, I do. But I do think he doesn't mind toying with everybody," Hasselbeck added about Rodgers remaining a free agent through the start of the first full week of May. 

The Steelers placing an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers seemingly eliminated the chance that he will sign with a different club at any point this spring or summer. If the 42-year-old chooses to retire, the Steelers would be on track to have backup Mason Rudolph, 2025 rookie Will Howard and 2026 third-round draft pick Drew Allar in their quarterback room this fall.