PITTSBURGH — Right here we go (once more).
Talking publicly for the primary time for the reason that Pittsburgh Steelers’ season resulted in January, four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers was noncommittal about the way forward for his taking part in profession — with the Pittsburgh Steelers or elsewhere — in a wide-ranging interview with “The Pat McAfee Present” on Wednesday afternoon.
Set to hit free company in lower than per week, the 42-year-old quarterback confirmed the Steelers hadn’t given him a deadline to tell them of his intentions for the 2026 season. Rodgers initially signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the workforce in June 2025 following a chronic decision-making course of. He in the end went on to start out 16 video games and throw 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions, main the Steelers to an AFC North title earlier than a first-round playoff exit by the hands of the Houston Texans.
“There’s been no deadline that is been put in entrance of me,” Rodgers instructed McAfee, including that he has been laying low and spending time together with his spouse. “There isn’t any contract provide or something, so there’s nothing that I am having to debate between. I am a free agent. … I am having fun with my time with my spouse and having fun with this a part of the off season, and I believe there’s conversations available down the road, however proper now, there hasn’t been any progressive conversations. I like Mike [McCarthy], and Mike and I’ve stored some contact through the years.
“I’ve had conversations with Omar [Khan]. I believe Omar loved having me there. I believe the blokes had a constructive response to our time collectively, however once more, there hasn’t been any deadlines set on me. There hasn’t been any contract floated in entrance of me for me to love, ‘Effectively, we’re supplying you with until March 8 to decide on this contract.’ There’s been nothing to that respect.”
Through the NFL mix, Khan instructed reporters that he did not envision the method with Rodgers to take so long as it did a yr in the past. Rodgers visited the Pittsburgh follow facility on March 21, however he did not comply with phrases on the deal till simply earlier than necessary minicamp on June 5.
“I do not actually wish to say it needs to be finished by then,” Khan stated when requested if he wanted a choice by the beginning of free company on March 11. “Wish to have an concept, but it surely simply is not going to go prefer it did final yr.
“… I believe the circumstances are a bit totally different, simply conversations we had. I believe neither aspect needs to have this drag on prefer it did final yr.”
Rodgers, although, did not sound like he was in a rush throughout his nearly 90-minute look on McAfee’s program. Although he talked about that he had been understanding, Rodgers deflected when requested if he was understanding as a result of he deliberate to maintain taking part in and as a substitute joked that he was doing these as a result of he wished his spouse to search out him enticing.
“I am attempting to remain match,” he stated. “I imply, it is more durable while you grow old, so you possibly can’t take the identical period of time off as you used to. After so many seasons, I might take a number of weeks off, a month off, month and a half. Now 42, simply to remain in form, you bought to at all times be dialed in on the food regimen and sleep and exercises if you wish to look the proper means.”
He declined to provide any particular updates on his plans for the upcoming season, though he did say he was intrigued by the concept of lots of his previous coaches and acquainted faces from Inexperienced Bay becoming a member of McCarthy’s workers in Pittsburgh. Rodgers, in fact, performed underneath McCarthy with the Packers for 13 seasons, and the pair gained Tremendous Bowl XLV collectively.
“I would be mendacity if I did not say that was one thing that I loved seeing,” Rodgers stated of seeing folks together with offensive line coach James Campen and assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans take jobs in Pittsburgh. “All these guys getting again collectively. It is among the guys that had the best affect on my profession.
“… Clearly that will be a draw if I made a decision we might go down that path. However once more, it takes two to tango, and we’ll see what occurs as we get into free company and every little thing.”
Rodgers had excessive reward for McCarthy, too, and was complimentary of the Steelers’ choice to rent him to exchange Mike Tomlin after Tomlin stepped down in January.
“Mike’s one of many nice guys within the league, simply a fully distinctive human being with an enormous coronary heart,” Rodgers stated. “We had loads of nice years collectively, loads of enjoyable. He actually cares in regards to the gamers, however he additionally holds guys accountable and creates loads of construction and particulars within the course of.
” … Mike bleeds Pittsburgh, PA, and I believe there’s one thing particular about that — for a man who’s going to return dwelling and lead a historic franchise. … There’s only some of these cornerstone franchises. Who else would you quite have lead? A man that actually bleeds black and gold and loves the town with all his coronary heart. And this is sort of a dream job for him.”
Rodgers additionally frolicked in the course of the interview praising Steelers’ 2025 sixth-round quarterback Will Howard, who missed a lot of the season after injuring the pinky in his throwing hand throughout coaching camp. Howard has drawn reward from quite a few members of Steelers brass all through the offseason together with Khan and McCarthy. Rodgers affirmed his perception in him Wednesday.
“He was in my hip pocket for a bunch, and I cherished it,” Rodgers stated. “I actually did. I am an enormous Will Howard — not simply fan as a human — however believer as a participant, that when his time comes, he will be greater than able to being, not only a constant starter, however a man who can stick in league for an extended, very long time. And it is due to his mindset.”
Rodgers stated that he has remained in contact with Howard and the remainder of the quarterback room together with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson by way of a gaggle chat, and he stated that group and extensive receiver Ben Skowronek have been among the individuals who made his season in Pittsburgh “particular.”
“Simply the way in which I used to be handled on the market, I had a blast,” Rodgers stated, including that he felt his season went so effectively largely as a result of he was completely satisfied together with his dwelling life. “… It was only a enjoyable group of men and I actually loved my time.”
