Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II believes that when all is said and done, Aaron Rodgers will be back in a Steelers uniform in 2026.
Speaking with NFL Network on Wednesday, Rooney II said the Steelers have remained in regular contact with the future Hall of Fame quarterback, though the team used a rare UFA tender on Rodgers in order to be able to get a compensatory pick should he go to another team.
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Rooney described that possibility as “unlikely.”
“The main thing that the tender gives us is potential for a comp pick if Aaron would choose to go to another team,” Rooney II said. “We don’t expect that, but by the same token, you never know. And it’s just something that we had an opportunity to protect if needed.
“And so not a real big deal, but just something that if in the unlikely event that he goes somewhere else, we are eligible for a comp pick in that situation.”
Rooney also said Wednesday that he anticipated there would be an answer from Rodgers in the “next few weeks.”
Rodgers, 42, has not indicated whether or not he would take the field in 2026 after spending last season with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It is worth noting that Rodgers didn’t sign until June last year when it came time for the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp.
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“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans. And even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
Rooney is not the only person who believes that Rodgers will be in the black and yellow.
Former head coach Mike Tomlin told NBC on Sunday that he believes that Rodgers will be the Steelers’ quarterback in 2026.
During last week’s draft, the Steelers selected Penn State star Drew Allar in the third round to add to their quarterback room.
Without Rodgers, the Steelers have Allar, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as signal-callers.
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