Aaron Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract and, as of this writing, has helped them get to first place in the AFC North. Naturally, even though the season isn't over yet, everyone is wondering what's next for Rodgers.
Will the future Hall of Famer call it a career once and for all? Will he continue to play, and if so, will he stick around in Pittsburgh or play for his fourth NFL team? Jeff Howe of The Athletic said that while all of those options are on the table, the Steelers feel like the best fit for Rodgers if he does opt to return for a 22nd season.
"If Rodgers does continue playing, it feels like a stretch to think he’d want to start over with a new organization. And since the Steelers don’t have a starter in waiting, they’d probably be thrilled if Rodgers returned."
NFL insider makes Steelers fans hopeful about Aaron Rodgers return
That pretty much sums it up. If Rodgers wants to return for the 2026 season, it'll be his 22nd season in the NFL, and it does feel like joining a third new team in as many years wouldn't be ideal for him at this stage of his career. Be that as it may, Howe did point out that Rodgers had been flirting with the Vikings in the offseason
With that said, the Vikings still have to figure out what they want to do with J.J. McCarthy, and bringing in a 42-year-old quarterback as the bridge guy there doesn't make much sense. The Steelers don't have anyone waiting in the wings, so if Rodgers wants to come back, he's the starter in 2026.
With Pittsburgh finishing with yet another winning record, that takes away the option of drafting a quarterback early on in the draft, especially with so many other teams needing those top quarterbacks. That means that Rodgers is the best option for the Steelers in 2026, and a return would work for both sides.
Is Rodgers the same guy he was in his prime when he was with the Packers? Certainly not. He's been mostly reliable for the Steelers this year, though, and hey, if somehow this team can find a way to win a playoff game, a return is something fans will be even more in favor of.