NFL coach gives Steelers fans hope about expected Aaron Rodgers signing

While nothing was official as of Monday morning, the expectation at that time remained that Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers would soon come to terms on a contract so that Rodgers could serve as the club's starting quarterback for the 2026 season. 

For a piece published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated spoke with one defensive coordinator who faced Rodgers during the 2025 campaign about what the future Hall of Famer is and isn't at this stage of his career. 

Aaron Rodgers still has an elite arm at 42 years old?

"His arm strength is still like it was 10 years ago — he can still throw it," the coordinator said about Rodgers. "His movement is what’s left him a little bit. He can still maneuver in the pocket, but he can’t get away the way he used to. His arm strength is what it always was. The difference is back in the day, you’d worry about him scrambling, getting out and creating explosive (plays). Now he can’t do that, and he doesn’t want to get hit. But he can still [expletive] throw it." 

Rodgers helped the 2025 Steelers claim the division title, which is impressive considering he dealt with a reported small fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist after he suffered that injury in Week 11 of the season. That said, he did largely look like a shell of his former great self when he had a fourth-quarter fumble and a fourth-quarter interception returned for touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 30-6 wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans. 

Despite that outing, the perception exists that the Steelers are convinced Rodgers is a better option to start than longtime backup Mason Rudolph, 2025 rookie Will Howard and 2026 rookie Drew Allar. There's no indication Rodgers is thinking about retiring, and some believe he will sign with the Steelers in time to report for OTAs on May 18.

Albert Breer addresses the Steelers' handling of the Aaron Rodgers saga

As recently as this past Friday, Steelers general manager Omar Khan did well to promise nothing regarding Rodgers' status. It's become clear to outsiders that the Steelers don't want anything to leak until Rodgers is ready for his intentions to go public. 

"I understand why they’ve been so careful with what they’ve said in the interim," Breer wrote about the Steelers' handling of the latest Rodgers-related saga. "There’s no need to rock any boats before a deal is done, and Rodgers could simply hang ’em up — there’s really not much left he has to prove as a pro athlete. But they’ve very clearly anticipated all this."

Until Rodgers signs, some understandably will wonder if he's having second thoughts about taking any more hits on NFL Sundays. That said, Breer's update does make it seem as if people within the Steelers remain confident that Rodgers will be the team's QB1 later this year.