The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone. Offseason workouts for the Pittsburgh Steelers are right around the corner at the beginning of May. Yet, the Steelers don’t have word from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on whether he will play during the 2026 NFL season.
That’s surprising to team president Art Rooney II. During an appearance on NFL Network on Wednesday night, Rooney pedaled the same narrative that the quarterback could make his final 2026 decision soon.
However, the Steelers placing the unrestricted free agency tender on Rodgers this week says something quite different. To a lot of pundits, it’s an indication the team sees Rodgers continuing to drag his decision into the summer as a possibility.
Rooney addressed the team’s decision to utilize the rarely used unrestricted free agency tender on Rodgers this offseason.
“We alerted [Rodgers] and his representative that we were going to do it, and so not a real big deal,” said Rooney on NFL Network. “Just something that in the unlikely event he goes somewhere else, we are eligible for a comp pick.”
With the tender placed on Rodgers, the Steelers have agreed to pay the quarterback a 10 percent raise from last year’s salary. In return, the Steelers will receive a compensatory pick if Rodgers signs elsewhere.
Furthermore, Rodgers would only be permitted to sign with the Steelers once training camp begins in July.
Art Rooney II Stresses Communication Between Steelers, Aaron Rodgers Still Strong
Pundits have argued that the Steelers have given the quarterback indirect deadlines to make his 2026 decision. If that’s the case, though, Rodgers hasn’t met them.
The unrestricted free agency tender gives Rodgers a deadline. That’s the case whether Rooney wants to admit it or not.
If the quarterback drags his decision past the middle of July, the tender requires him to only play for the Steelers if he returns to the NFL this season.
It appears highly unlikely Rodgers would pursue other options. For one thing, no other teams have a starting quarterback opening.
But the unrestricted free agency tender means Rodgers can’t wait for an injury to happen in the preseason or September and then sign with a Super Bowl contender as an emergency replacement.
Rooney provided yet another update on the team’s communication with Rodgers this offseason. But it was a similar update to what’s already been said multiple times the past few months.
“We’ve been in contact with [Rodgers] on a regular basis,” said Rooney. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans.
“Even though I thought we’d have concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
Steelers QB Room Without Rodgers
The Steelers weren’t able to sign the 42-year-old veteran before the 2026 NFL Draft. But on Day 2, the Steelers added a new quarterback.
The team grabbed Penn State’s Drew Allar at No. 76 overall in the third round. Allar will join a quarterback room that includes veteran Mason Rudolph and second-year signal-caller Will Howard.
Howard and Allar faced each other during the Big Ten regular season in 2024.
If Rodgers returns, the Steelers will be left with the difficult question of whether or not to carry four quarterbacks. Should they decide not to do that, then Rudolph or Howard would likely be a cut or trade candidate.
Without Rodgers, though, Howard and Allar are expected to compete for the team’s future starting role. Meanwhile, fans could view Rudolph as the place-holder until one of the youngsters is ready.
While a decision from Rodgers could be coming soon, the Steelers have been saying that for roughly two months.
At the NFL’s annual league meeting, Rooney told reporters Rodgers would decide his playing status by the NFL Draft.
Last offseason, Rodgers signed with the Steelers on June 5.
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