Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP quarterback, recently made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, shedding light on the current free agency buzz surrounding him. At 42, Rodgers clarified, "There's been no deadline that's been put in front of me.
There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent.
I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason."
Yet, the vibe at Pittsburgh International Airport suggests Steelers fans are feeling less relaxed. A snapshot from The Athletic's Steelers beat reporter, Mike DeFabo, showed Aaron Rodgers No.
8 Steelers jersey T-shirts on a 50%-off clearance rack. The image sparked reactions from fans, with one using a Spider-Man GIF to say, "Good riddance," and another questioning, "What do they know that Steelers beat writers don't?"
Meanwhile, a prominent Pittsburgh fan account simply reacted with, "Whoa."
At the recent NFL Combine, Steelers GM Omar Khan mentioned having "good" and "honest" talks with Rodgers but had no updates. "No deadline," Khan stated, adding that he doesn't expect a repeat of last year's drawn-out process.
Rodgers joined the Steelers last June after being released by the Jets in March 2025. Despite missing one game due to a wrist fracture, he threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 65.7% completion rate over 16 games. The season ended with a tough AFC Wild Card loss to the Texans, 30-6.
Newly appointed Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed that re-signing Rodgers would be "a great story," reuniting them after their successful stint in Green Bay, which included a Super Bowl XLV win over Pittsburgh.
While McCarthy had no updates on Rodgers' decision, Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward mentioned on his podcast that Rodgers "sounded great" and still has a passion for the game. "I think he's gonna play," Heyward shared.
Reports from NBC Sports' Matthew Berry suggest Rodgers is "leaning towards coming back," with expectations pointing to a return to Pittsburgh. ESPN's Adam Schefter added that the Steelers are "hopeful" Rodgers will remain their QB1 for 2026. If not, the team is prepared to turn to 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, who has yet to debut in the NFL.
Though the clearance rack jerseys might not predict Rodgers' future with the Steelers, they hint at the mixed feelings among fans. However, if Rodgers returns and leads the team to a playoff victory, the city will likely rally behind him once more.