Ian Rapoport refutes wild theory about possible Aaron Rodgers, Steelers agreement

On Wednesday morning, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not yet re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers because Rodgers hasn't received a verbal agreement from the club promising that he would be granted his release before the Tuesday after Week 9 of the 2026 season if it's clear at that time the Steelers are more pretenders than contenders. 

"This is speculation," Florio wrote. "I haven’t heard anything to substantiate the possibility." 

During the latest edition of the "Between the Tackles" podcast, NFL Network league insider Ian Rapoport was asked if he buys what Florio was trying to sell. 

Aaron Rodgers likely wouldn't need such a promise from the Steelers

"I really don't," Rapoport said, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I don't know what that would be. Contractually, there's only so much you can guarantee. What could you say? Get your release if you get benched? He can get that anyway." 

Guessing games regarding Rodgers' expected return to the Steelers may be getting a bit wacky after it was said that he didn't meet with members of the organization while he was in Pittsburgh this past weekend. It was once thought that Rodgers would rejoin the Steelers before the start of OTAs on May 18, but a story from this week indicated the future Hall of Famer may remain unsigned until right before mandatory minicamp practices get underway on June 2. 

Why Aaron Rodgers likely doesn't need extra help to get what he wants from the Steelers

"His agent is very good," Rapoport added. "He's done a very good job for a long time. I think he'd like to do his thing. Agents have their thing. I just don't know that there'd be any contractual protections he could get, taking him off the field." 

Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that "it's starting to look" as if Rodgers won't re-sign with Pittsburgh before this coming Monday ends. Dulac also said that the Steelers still "expect" to have Rodgers atop their depth chart for Week 1 of the 2026 season.