Steelers Receive Bad News on Potential Aaron Rodgers Return in 2026

CBS Sports insider Aditi Kinkhabwala reports Rodgers is unlikely to return to Pittsburgh next season.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:47am

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According to a new report, four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026. CBS Sports insider Aditi Kinkhabwala stated that people close to Rodgers feel the chances of him coming back to play for the Steelers are "minuscule." This could force the Steelers to shift their offseason plans and potentially target a top free agent quarterback like Malik Willis.

Why it matters

Rodgers was expected to join the Steelers in 2026 after a one-year retirement, but this new report casts doubt on those plans. The Steelers were banking on Rodgers to be their starting QB next season, so his potential absence would significantly impact their roster construction and plans for the future.

The details

Kinkhabwala said that in conversations with people around Rodgers, they feel it's "far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return" to the Steelers. The report notes that the Steelers have been "playing this as well as they possibly can," with head coach Mike McCarthy praising 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and remaining open to a Rodgers reunion. However, if Rodgers does not return, the Steelers may need to shift their focus to targeting a top free agent QB like Malik Willis.

  • Rodgers was expected to join the Steelers in 2026 after a one-year retirement.

The players

Aaron Rodgers

A four-time NFL MVP quarterback who was expected to join the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 after a one-year retirement.

Aditi Kinkhabwala

A CBS Sports insider who reported that people close to Rodgers feel the chances of him coming back to play for the Steelers are "minuscule."

Mike McCarthy

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has praised 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and remained open to a Rodgers reunion.

Malik Willis

A top free agent quarterback the Steelers may target if Rodgers does not return in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm already on the record telling you, having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I've spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule.”

— Aditi Kinkhabwala, CBS Sports insider

What’s next

The Steelers will need to closely monitor Rodgers' plans for the 2026 season and adjust their offseason strategy accordingly. If he does not return, they will likely target a top free agent quarterback like Malik Willis to be their new starting QB.

The takeaway

This report casts significant doubt on the Steelers' plans to have Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback in 2026, which could force them to completely rethink their offseason approach. The team will need to be prepared to pivot to other options at the position if Rodgers ultimately decides not to play for them next season.