Aaron Rodgers is once again at the center of the NFL offseason talk. And this time, the big question is simple, will he return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026, or will he finally walk away? According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, a decision may not drag on for months. Speaking on The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefter said, “The belief around the league is that he’s supposed to give an answer by mid-March. Many people thought there was no chance he’d be back but it certainly sounds like it’s a consideration.” That timeline is crucial because NFL free agency begins March 11. If Rodgers plans to return, the Steelers would want clarity before then.Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.6 million deal with Pittsburgh last summer. In his first season with the team, he led them to a 10-7 record and an AFC North division title. He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The season ended with a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. After the loss, Rodgers told reporters, “I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” and avoided giving a clear answer about his future.
Adam Schefter shares Aaron Rodgers 2026 timeline as Pittsburgh Steelers wait on decision
Adam Schefter also explained that a return to Pittsburgh is very much possible. “The feeling is that he could be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Schefter said. He also mentioned last year’s Minnesota discussion, adding, “If we go back to last year, he wanted to play in Minnesota, I don’t know how Aaron Rodgers feels and I don’t know how the Minnesota Vikings feel.”Meanwhile, Steelers general manager Omar Khan gave an update at the NFL Combine on February 24. He made it clear this situation should move faster than last year. “I don’t foresee this going like it did last year,” Khan said. “I don’t really want to say it has to be done by then, would like to have an idea, but it just isn’t going to go like it did last year.”Khan also shared that he and new head coach Mike McCarthy have spoken with Rodgers. “He knows how we feel, and I think we know how he feels about us,” Khan said. “It was a good experience for both sides.”Still, Pittsburgh is preparing for every option. The team holds 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are also developing Will Howard and have veteran Mason Rudolph on the roster. If Rodgers decides not to return, the Steelers appear ready to move forward. For now, the league waits. Mid-March could finally bring the answer.
