The Pittsburgh Steelers are approaching a pivotal quarterback decision, and all signs point toward a familiar name potentially returning under center. With Mike McCarthy now leading the sidelines, Pittsburgh’s front office is weighing its options while keeping the door open for Aaron Rodgers to run it back for another season.
Team owner Art Rooney II recently revealed that clarity on Rodgers’ future could come within the next month. That timeline aligns with what insiders are hearing around the building.
“I think he will be their starting quarterback, unless he comes to some kind of decision over the next month that he’s just done with football 100 percent,” Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly said on The PM Team.
This is him basically saying he’s coming back without him admitting he’s coming back. What I’ve heard a lot is they’re expecting him to come back…They are under the impression that he still wants to play.
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Kaboly cautioned that nothing is official until paperwork is signed, especially with a veteran as unpredictable as Rodgers. For now, Pittsburgh’s depth chart includes Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, but neither profiles as a clear-cut Week 1 solution. The franchise spent only a sixth-round pick on Howard, a move that rarely signals immediate starter expectations.
If Rodgers returns healthy, the decision becomes straightforward. His leadership, experience, and mastery of McCarthy’s system could immediately stabilize the offense while also mentoring the younger quarterbacks. Rodgers and McCarthy worked together for 13 seasons in Green Bay, building a shared football language that could accelerate Pittsburgh’s offensive transition.
McCarthy himself confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show that he has spoken with Rodgers multiple times this offseason. Meanwhile, Rooney has made it clear the organization is willing to wait-though this year, not nearly as long as last. The Steelers have reportedly set a one-month internal window for a decision.
Rodgers, as expected, has remained cryptic.
Obviously, I’m 42 years old, and I’m on a one-year deal, so you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent.
Draft intrigue: Steelers monitoring Alabama QB Ty Simpson
While Pittsburgh waits on Rodgers, preparation for Plan B is already underway ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins April 23 in Pittsburgh. With roughly $39 million in projected cap space, the Steelers have room to maneuver if they choose an aggressive route.
According to insider Nick Farabaugh, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has emerged as a legitimate draft target.
“I think they like Ty Simpson,” Farabaugh said on 93.7 The Fan. “I think they like what he does in terms of his accuracy…They like his pre-snap makeup…They like what he does just in terms of how he can just take on a lot offensively, and Mike McCarthy’s offense puts a lot on a QB.”
Simpson is coming off a standout season with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. His profile fits McCarthy’s history of developing young quarterbacks capable of handling complex offensive responsibilities. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is also reportedly on the radar, though Pittsburgh could prioritize adding a wide receiver instead.
Selecting a quarterback early would be a bold move in a draft class that hasn’t met preseason expectations. Still, Simpson projects as a developmental prospect who could benefit tremendously from learning in the same room as Rodgers-if the veteran decides to return.
For now, the Steelers’ quarterback future sits at a fascinating crossroads: a Hall of Fame veteran who may be quietly signaling a comeback, and a promising rookie who could represent the franchise’s next chapter.
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