Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers to confirm decision by this date

Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" is among the reporters who have insisted that "nothing has changed" between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers despite the fact that the club recently placed a rarely-used unrestricted free agent tender on the veteran quarterback.

For an update shared via X (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, Kaboly indicated that Rodgers and the Steelers have an understanding regarding springtime workouts and the 2026 season. 

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers seem to agree on these points

"Rodgers is their best option to break a 10-year playoff winless streak, and the Steelers know that," Kaboly wrote. Kaboly also said that people within the Steelers "believe that Rodgers will make his decision (sign) before" the organized team practice activity portion of the offseason program begins on May 18. 

Before news about the Steelers using the tender went public, a report suggested that Rodgers would not hang new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy out to dry. Rodgers and McCarthy remain close, stemming from when McCarthy was the future Hall of Famer's head coach while with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through part of the 2018 season. 

Currently, the Steelers are set to have 2025 rookie Will Howard, longtime backup Mason Rudolph and 2026 third-round draft pick Drew Allar in their quarterback room. 

Steelers have always had this Aaron Rodgers expectation

"The Steelers have gone about their offseason business as if Rodgers is returning," Kaboly added on Tuesday. Kaboly also mentioned that "Rodgers will be present for all eight installations" of OTA workouts if the 42-year-old signs by May 18. 

Pittsburgh will receive a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signs with another team before July 22 or the first day of Pittsburgh's training camp, whichever comes later. After that, the Steelers would have exclusive negotiating rights for Rodgers.

"The way I look at Steelers putting tender on Aaron Rodgers is this," Kaboly explained. "It's unlikely when you get into your car that you are going to get into a wreck, yet you put your seatbelt on just in case. It doesn't hurt anything to do it, so you just do it." 

Not for nothing, but such comments make it sound like somebody within the Steelers thinks there is at least a chance that Rodgers could keep his options open through June and the first half of July.