The Pittsburgh Steelers losing to the Houston Texans in the 2025 postseason in the manner they did, coupled with Mike Tomlin parting ways with the team, should be the catalyst for the end of the Aaron Rodgers era, but there are still some talks of a reunion for 2026.
With either Mason Rudolph or Will Howard in line to start unless some other additions are made, the Steelers will need to wait on a response from the notoriously flaky Rodgers. This has aggravated some of the more legendary players in franchise history, who want to see them back to their contending ways.
Hall of Fame Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson implored Pittsburgh to draw a line in the sand with Rodgers, saying they need to either set a date for him to provide a firm yes or no answer on his status for 2026 or just walk away.
"Is he gonna play? Listen, I get kinda tired of it," Woodson said in an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. "Listen, if he's gonna play, say he's gonna play, he's gonna come back. And the team shouldn't wait for Aaron Rodgers. They need to move forward."
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Rod Woodson is done with waiting for Aaron Rodgers
In much the same fashion as his lone full season with the New York Jets, Rodgers' box score stats are much more impressive than his actual play on the field. Throwing 24 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions underscores all of the limitations he placed on this offense.
Rodgers now lacks the mobility and playmaking out of structure that made him nearly unbeatable in Green Bay, and his desire to avoid getting hit has led to him throwing the ball as soon as possible. As a result, the passing game could only thrive if it operated in one very specific way.
The lack of solid quarterback options in the 2026 NFL Draft is likely one of the big reasons why the Steelers are still angling for a Rodgers reunion, as the options outside of Alabama's Ty Simpson at No. 21 overall or LSU's Garrett Nussmeier in the second round are looking exceedingly grim.
The Steelers' ceiling with Rodgers is not that of a Super Bowl team, and he comes with a ton fo extra warts that will make him less attractive. No wonder Woodson is just about done riding this particular roller coaster after how the 2025 season ended.