The long Aaron Rodgers offseason drama may finally be coming to an end.
According to multiple reports Thursday morning, Aaron Rodgers is expected to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend and is now “likely” to play for the team during the 2026 NFL season.
For months, the Steelers have basically operated like a franchise waiting on Rodgers to make up his mind. Pittsburgh avoided making a major move at quarterback during free agency and never seriously pursued a long-term veteran alternative. Instead, they continued leaving the door open for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer to return.
Now, it finally sounds close.
Reports say no official contract has been signed yet, but Rodgers visiting Pittsburgh this weekend is viewed as a major step toward getting a deal completed. The Steelers previously placed a rare unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers, which reportedly would pay around $15 million, though most insiders expect a new deal to eventually be negotiated.
The entire situation has felt very “Aaron Rodgers” from the beginning — slow-moving, mysterious, dramatic, and constantly changing by the week.
At different points this offseason, there were rumors Rodgers could retire, return to Pittsburgh, or even potentially join another franchise. But throughout the process, the Steelers remained the favorite because of their familiarity with Rodgers and the arrival of head coach Mike McCarthy, who previously won a Super Bowl with Rodgers in Green Bay.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, bringing Rodgers back makes complete sense.
Even at his age, Rodgers still showed flashes last season. Reports noted he threw for over 3,000 yards and more than 20 touchdowns during the 2025 season while helping keep Pittsburgh competitive. The Steelers believe they still have a playoff-caliber roster, and they clearly do not think rookie quarterbacks Drew Allar or Will Howard are ready to lead a contender immediately.
The bigger question is whether Rodgers can still elevate Pittsburgh into a true championship threat.
At 42 years old, every season now feels like it could be his last. Rodgers himself hinted in the past that retirement was coming soon, which made this offseason feel especially uncertain. But the fact he is still engaging with the Steelers this deep into the offseason tells you the competitive fire clearly has not disappeared.
And honestly, this feels like the ending the NFL wanted all along.
Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh gives the league another season of one of football’s biggest personalities playing meaningful games for a historic franchise. The Steelers remain one of the NFL’s biggest brands, and Rodgers continues to generate headlines unlike almost any other player in sports.
Now the only thing left is making it official.
Check Out All EasySportz NFL Content Here!
