Will Aaron Rodgers Suit Up for the Steelers in 2026?
The big question swirling around Pittsburgh is whether Aaron Rodgers will don the black and gold for another season. While many signs suggest the veteran quarterback might return, nothing is set in stone.
Rodgers is still in playing shape and seems open to extending his illustrious career. The decision seems to boil down to either re-signing with the Steelers or hanging up his cleats for good.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently reported that the Steelers are keeping their options open. They have high hopes for Will Howard, but losing Rodgers would leave a significant gap. Pittsburgh would need a new quarterback, and several seasoned players are available in free agency.
While none of these free agents can match the excitement Rodgers brings, they do offer intriguing possibilities. According to La Canfora, "Former Vikings playoff quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the top options for Pittsburgh if Rodgers is not back, according to league sources. The team is legitimately high on the upside of second-year quarterback Will Howard as well."
Cousins could be the contingency plan if Rodgers decides to leave. Most fans and analysts still believe Rodgers will return for another season, but until he signs, nothing is certain. Cousins, while a solid option, would be a step down from Rodgers’ caliber.
Rodgers has faced criticism for the Steelers' playoff struggles, but he remains a playmaker. Although no longer in his MVP prime, he can still lead the team to victories. Pittsburgh's preference is clearly for Rodgers to stay, but they need a backup plan.
La Canfora noted, "Pittsburgh would ideally pair a proven veteran starter with Howard, who they believe improved significantly in his first year as a pro after being selected in the sixth round and has potential starting upside but needs more time to develop."
If La Canfora's insights hold true, the Steelers might be in a waiting game. Cousins probably won't see a frenzied market in free agency, giving Rodgers some breathing room to decide.
Steelers fans are growing weary of the uncertainty surrounding the 42-year-old. While waiting for Rodgers isn't ideal, it's preferable to jumping the gun on Cousins.
In this scenario, adding a veteran like Cousins could be appealing. He’d offer the team an experienced presence, though likely not at Rodgers’ level. This situation would also present a golden opportunity for Will Howard as training camp approaches.
Essentially, it could be a showdown between Cousins and Howard for the starting role in Pittsburgh.
For those eager to see Howard take the reins, this could be the chance you’ve been waiting for. With Rodgers potentially out of the picture, the quarterback position becomes a wide-open competition, unless the Steelers make a surprising offseason move. Cousins might not match Rodgers’ prowess, but he’d still be a better option than standing pat.