Will Aaron Rodgers return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season?
That’s the question everyone is trying to figure out the answer to. All signs continue to point to the grizzled gunslinger returning for another year, but there are no guarantees. No one knows what Rodgers is thinking except for Rodgers himself. He’s still in good enough shape to play and appears willing to extend his career for another campaign. It’s likely that he either re‑signs with the Steelers or retires.
A recent report from NFL insider Jason La Canfora suggests that the organization may have some backup plans in place. They’re pleased with Will Howard’s potential, but losing Rodgers would create a new opening. The Steelers would need to replace him, and several veteran options are available in free agency.
None of the free agents are as exciting as Rodgers, but they do present opportunities worth considering.
La Canfora stated, "Former Vikings playoff quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back, according to league sources, while the team is legitimately high on the upside of second-year quarterback Will Howard as well."
According to the insider, Kirk Cousins could be their backup plan if Rodgers decides to leave. Most still believe the future Hall of Fame quarterback will return for another season with the Steelers, but until he signs on the dotted line, nothing is guaranteed. Cousins would certainly represent a noticeable drop‑off from Rodgers, regardless of what you thought of his performance last season.
New report claims Pittsburgh Steelers could replace Aaron Rodgers with Kirk Cousins
Rodgers deserves scrutiny for how the season collapsed into yet another playoff disappointment for the Steelers, but he wasn’t terrible. He’s an aging quarterback, yet he still found ways to make plays for the team. He’s no longer an MVP‑caliber player, but he can still win games. Pittsburgh’s first preference is clearly for Rodgers to return, but they must have a contingency plan.
"Pittsburgh would ideally pair a proven veteran starter with Howard, who they believe improved significantly in their first year as a pro after being selected in the sixth round and has potential starting upside but needs more time to develop," La Canfora wrote.
If La Canfora's rumor is true, the Steelers could be in a waiting game. It's unlikely that Cousins will have much of a market in free agency. He could be a free agent for a while, and that will allow Rodgers time to make a decision. Steelers Nation is exhausted from waiting around for the 42-year-old player. While waiting for Rodgers is a disappointing development, it's better than signing Cousins.
In this scenario, bringing in a veteran like Cousins would be an appealing option. He would give the team an experienced starter to lean on for another year, though the results likely wouldn’t match what Rodgers produced. In that situation, Will Howard would have a tremendous opportunity heading into training camp.
It would essentially be Cousins versus Howard for the starting job in Pittsburgh.
For those pounding on the door at Steelers headquarters for Howard to become the starter, this might be the outcome you’re hoping for. Without Rodgers in the mix, the quarterback position becomes an open competition, barring an unexpected splash addition this offseason. Cousins would be a poor fallback compared to Rodgers, but he would still be better than doing nothing.