Some pundits and fans have wondered if Aaron Rodgers has secretly given the Pittsburgh Steelers an indication that he will be back for the 2026 NFL season. If that’s the case, new Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. certainly doesn’t know about it.
Pittman made three different media appearances Friday. In all three, he gave similar answers about how he doesn’t know if Rodgers will be back for the 2026 NFL season.
“I think Aaron’s close to making a decision. But then again, I don’t know,” Pittman told Yahoo Sports during a YouTube appearance. “I haven’t talked to him in a couple weeks. We’re all waiting to figure out with the rest of you.
“People think we know. We know nothing.”
Pittman stressed during his appearances on NFL Network and FanDuel TV that he is trying to give Rodgers “his space.”
“You guys gotta understand, Aaron’s gonna do what he wants,” Pittman said on NFL Network’s Good Morning, Football. “I don’t think that I could convince him any other way because obviously, Aaron has done more than just about any other NFL player in the league.
“Just give him his space. If he is ready to come back, then he’ll be back. If he’s not, then we’ll roll with what we’ve got.”
While Pittman said Rodgers would likely return, the receiver appeared to be guessing. Pittman revealed to FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams that he hasn’t talked to Rodgers this offseason.
“The fact that he’s still out doing flag football stuff and all that, I think he still wants to play,” Pittman told Adams. “Just knowing Aaron prior to this, I just think he’s going to try and play as long as he can.”
Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers Players Know Little About Upcoming Aaron Rodgers Decision
GettyWide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. commented on the wait for quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s decision during two media appearances Friday.
Pittman’s candid responses throughout sports media Friday might alarm some fans. The Steelers have to make important decisions in the 2026 NFL Draft starting on April 23 and the team doesn’t have any indication if Rodgers is going to play next season.
But Pittman’s answers weren’t all that different than other Steelers players recently. Guys such as Jaylen Warren and Patrick Queen are taking Rodgers longer process with his 2026 decision in stride.
“You know, I’m not really expecting anything. Whatever happens, happens,” said Warren on NFL Network on April 10. “I’m rocking with whoever’s at the quarterback position.
“But if he comes back, great. If he doesn’t, then we’ll miss him.”
“He’s a great dude, he’s a great teammate. I like him personally,” Queen said during his on Good Morning Football appearance on Tuesday. “Is he gonna be back? I don’t know. That’s kind of a thing for [Rodgers] and the team to figure out.
“But hell, I’ll take him. Dude is a great teammate, he’s a great quarterback.”
Queen concluded that it was probably a 50/50 chance Rodgers would return.
Will Aaron Rodgers Return to Work With Pittman?
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason.
If Rodgers does return, he will come back to a receiving room that should be much better in Pittsburgh than 2025.
The Steelers acquired Pittman in a late-round draft pick exchange during the NFL free agency legal tampering period. Pittman should be the new WR2 in Pittsburgh behind D.K. Metcalf.
At tight end, the Steelers dumped Jonnu Smith this offseason. But that should open up more opportunities for Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
The Steelers still have high hopes for former third-rounder Roman Wilson. But the team could also add another receiver with one of its 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
If the Steelers select a wideout, it will likely be someone capable of playing in the slot.
Rodgers led the Steelers to a 10-6 record while competing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards. He also had 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions during 2025.
Rodgers will turn 43 years old in December. This offseason, the Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on their quarterback depth chart.
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