Steelers Owner Reveals Expected Aaron Rodgers Contract Decision Timeline Amid NFL Retirement Buzz

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II expects to hear from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers regarding a contract decision before the 2026 NFL draft.

"I still expect that," Rooney told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sunday (h/t Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk). "I expect we'll get an answer before the draft."

"When I talked to him and Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn't going to take as long this year as he did last year [to make a decision]," he added. "I'm not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft."

The Steelers believe that Rodgers, who is currently a free agent, will decide between retiring or returning to Pittsburgh for the 2026 season (via Dulac).

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Jan. 18 that Rodgers "did not commit to retiring or returning to the Steelers during his conversations with the organization" and wanted to "take time away before deciding his future."

The four-time MVP initially joined Pittsburgh on a one-year contract worth $13.7 million in June 2025.

Rodgers appeared in 16 games with the Steelers last season, completing 65.7 percent of his throws for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.

While Pittsburgh advanced to the playoffs, it fired head coach Mike Tomlin following a Wild Card exit and hired Mike McCarthy as his replacement. McCarthy and Rodgers previously spent time together on the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through 2018.

The Steelers will now await Rodgers' decision before the 2026 draft begins on April 23.