Aaron Rodgers Likely to Play for Steelers in 2026

aaron rodgers is expected to visit the Steelers on Friday and this weekend, and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that he will likely play for Pittsburgh in 2026. The report points toward a possible end to Rodgers' offseason uncertainty and a new answer for the Steelers' quarterback plans.

Rodgers and Pittsburgh

The Steelers had spent most of the offseason speaking positively about giving Rodgers time to decide whether he would play a 22nd NFL season. That patience now runs into a visit that could push the sides closer to a second season in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh recently placed a UFA tender on Rodgers as a placeholder. The move kept the team tied to him while the sides worked toward a new deal, and they now have to hammer that out for him to return.

Rapoport's deal view

Rapoport said it is hard to imagine Rodgers plays for $15 million. That figure gives a clearer sense of where the negotiation sits, because the Steelers still need an agreement before Rodgers can line up for another year with the club.

Rodgers' future had been the subject of offseason speculation because he had not made a decision, but the report changes the weight of the weekend visit. Instead of a routine check-in, it now carries the shape of a potential final step toward 2026.

Steelers quarterback plan

Mike McCarthy inherits a quarterback situation that is still waiting on the final signature. Rodgers' expected trip gives the Steelers a live chance to settle a key piece of their roster rather than carry the uncertainty deeper into the offseason.

The practical takeaway for Pittsburgh is simple: the visit is not the story by itself, the deal is. Rodgers is pointed toward a return, but the sides still have to finish the contract work before the quarterback picture is set for 2026.