Aaron Rodgers Contract Decision Timeline Teased by Steelers' Art Rooney II Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II spoke a bit on Tuesday about the team's discussions with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a potential timeframe on his decision regarding whether he will be back in 2026 during a conversation on the DVE Morning Show.

"I wish I could tell you we're at the end of the discussion, but we're still talking to Aaron and he's still deciding what he wants to do," Rooney said on WDVE (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). "I think we're close. He's kind of told us his time frame and what he's going to be up to over the next couple of weeks. I think we'll have an answer soon, let's put it that way."

Rooney was then asked whether it would be "way off" or "warm" regarding Rodgers giving the team an answer by the start of offseason team activities, which begin on May 18.

"Warm, it'd be warm," Rooney replied.

Last summer, Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee Show and said he was "pretty sure" the 2025 campaign would be his last season.

The four-time NFL MVP led Pittsburgh to a 10-win season and the AFC North title, throwing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns.

After the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round, Rodgers was asked if the defeat would have a bearing on his decision to play in 2026.

"No, I mean, I'm not going to make any emotional decisions," Rodgers said, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "Disappointed obviously. Such a fun year. A lot of adversity but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being a part of this team. So, it's disappointing to be sitting here with the season over."

The Steelers are now led by head coach Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' coach with the Green Bay Packers for the first 13-plus seasons of his career (2005 until Dec. 2018).

It seems like McCarthy's presence in Pittsburgh would be a plus toward Rodgers returning, based on remarks what could be ahead on McAfee's show back in early March (h/t ESPN's Brooke Pryor).

"There's been no deadline that's been put in front of me," Rodgers said. "There's no contract offer or anything, so there's nothing that I'm having to debate between. I'm a free agent. ... I'm enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the off season, and I think there's conversations to be had down the line, but right now, there hasn't been any progressive conversations. I love Mike [McCarthy], and Mike and I have kept some contact over the years.

"I've had conversations with Omar [Khan]. I think Omar enjoyed having me there. I think the guys had a positive response to our time together, but again, there hasn't been any deadlines set on me. There hasn't been any contract floated in front of me for me to like, 'Well, we're giving you till March 8 to make a decision on this contract.' There's been nothing to that respect."

While a decision hasn't been made yet, the Steelers haven't made any moves this offseason regarding adding another quarterback. Veteran Mason Rudolph and second-year pro Will Howard are currently in the QB room. The Steelers could, in theory, add a QB in the draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh from Thursday through Saturday.

However, the 42-year-old Rodgers could also simply return and reclaim his QB1 perch in 2026, marking his 22nd NFL season.