Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers still have not finalized a deal for the 2026 season, and the delay is starting to turn into one of the NFL’s biggest offseason storylines. Pittsburgh entered the offseason expecting clarity soon, especially after owner Art Rooney II spoke confidently during the 2026 NFL Draft in April.Instead, weeks have passed without a resolution. The longer the wait continues, the more questions grow about Rodgers’ future in Pittsburgh and what exactly is slowing the process behind the scenes.
Mike Florio explains why Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers return remains stuck
NFL insider Mike Florio finally shed light on the situation during an appearance on NBC Sports this week. Florio described the ongoing negotiations between Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers as “kind of abnormal” because both sides appear stuck in a strange position heading into May.According to Florio, Aaron Rodgers does not have many outside options because no other team has seriously pursued him during the offseason. However, the Steelers also cannot afford to feel too comfortable because their quarterback depth chart lacks proven experience behind him.Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar in the room. Howard still has not played an NFL regular-season game, while Allar entered the league as a developmental prospect from Penn State. That leaves Rodgers as the clear best option for a franchise that still believes it can compete immediately.Rodgers backed that belief with his performances last season. During the 2025 campaign, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions across 16 games. He completed 65.7% of his passes and helped guide the Steelers to a 10-6 record along with the AFC North title before their playoff run ended against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.Now, those numbers have become part of the ongoing financial discussion. Aaron Rodgers played last season on a one-year deal worth $13.65 million, including $10 million guaranteed and incentive bonuses. Florio reported that Pittsburgh recently placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers worth around $15 million, but the veteran quarterback reportedly seeks a salary closer to $20 million annually.Meanwhile, new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy continues to stay involved in the process. McCarthy and Rodgers won Super Bowl 45 together in Green Bay, and Pittsburgh hired the veteran coach partly because of that relationship.For now, though, Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers return remains unresolved, and every passing week only adds more pressure to both sides before training camp arrives.
