Pittsburgh, May 7, 2026, 12:04 (EDT)
Aaron Rodgers, the free-agent quarterback, is set to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers starting Friday and sticking around into the weekend—a sign the team may finally be locking in a 2026 plan after dragging out the decision on its top roster spot. Sources told ESPN that Rodgers is expected to play for Pittsburgh this season.
The clock’s ticking. Pittsburgh’s voluntary offseason workouts—organized team activities—kick off May 18. Steelers brass, according to CBS Sports, had hoped for word from Rodgers before the draft, but that deadline slipped by without resolution. Now, they’re looking for an answer before OTAs start.
If Rodgers comes back, new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy would get the veteran quarterback he’s worked with more than anyone, right as Pittsburgh rolls out its new offense. The Steelers announced McCarthy’s hire as their 17th head coach on Jan. 27. According to the team bio, McCarthy logged 11 seasons alongside Rodgers in Green Bay.
Money’s still the sticking point. Last month, Pittsburgh slapped an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers—a seldom-used tactic that keeps options open if he walks, then hands the team exclusive negotiating rights after a deadline. Steelers president Art Rooney II explained to NFL Network that this was really about a compensatory pick, the extra draft asset a team could snag if Rodgers bolts. “We don’t expect that, but by the same token, you never know,” Rooney said. Nfl
Rodgers is looking at a 10% boost from his 2025 pay—$13.65 million—bumping next year’s base to roughly $15 million, according to Reuters. The outlet also pointed out that Thursday’s NFL Network story suggests Rodgers is unlikely to take the field at that tender amount, cranking up pressure for both parties to hammer out a broader deal.
Still, it’s not finalized. According to NFL.com, Rapoport noted that no deal has been signed yet and advised caution until everything’s inked; he also called it “hard to imagine” Rodgers suiting up for $15 million. The risk of things falling apart is clear: a meeting might push negotiations along, but it doesn’t lock down the salary, the guarantees, or Rodgers’ commitment for a 22nd NFL season. Nfl
Pittsburgh isn’t exactly rushing to move on, but they did make a move. The Steelers used the 76th overall pick to grab Penn State’s Drew Allar, pulling him into a quarterback mix that already features Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. Tom Arth, who coaches the team’s quarterbacks, said Allar’s “very high ceiling” stood out. Still, NFL.com called it tough to picture Allar making much of a splash by 2026. Nfl
So for now, Rodgers still looks like the obvious short-term fix. CBS Sports pointed out the Steelers haven’t landed a top quarterback in free agency, and said if Rodgers is up for it, the job is his again. Failing that, options shrink to Rudolph, Howard, or Allar. There’s also been some chatter, according to CBS, about Rodgers and the Arizona Cardinals—that’s one external angle to keep in mind.
Rodgers brings more than just a big name. Reuters noted he posted another season in Pittsburgh with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025, putting him fourth all-time for NFL passing touchdowns and fifth for passing yards. No surprise, then, that the Steelers have kept him around—despite his age and a messy situation.
This weekend’s visit could break the deadlock and bring things back to a standard contract back-and-forth. Pittsburgh’s priority right now is simple: bring Rodgers into the facility, pair McCarthy with his quarterback, and shift May out of the rumor mill and onto the field.
