Andrew Buller-Russ
Last offseason, it felt like a given that Aaron Rodgers would end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being released by the New York Jets. Yet, the future Hall of Famer didn’t end up signing a contract with the Steelers until June 5, nearly two months after the 2025 NFL Draft took place, and three months after free agency began, when Rodgers first became available.
This year, it once again feels like it’s either the Steelers or bust for the 42-year-old quarterback. Plus, the Steelers only have two quarterbacks on the roster, it’s like they’re waiting for either Rodgers to return for his 22nd NFL season or to add a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft. Possibly both.
While most NFL insiders still expect Rodgers to return for a second season as the Steelers’ starter, especially now since he’d be able to reunite with his former Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, it’s no guarantee. But what does one of Rodgers’ former Steelers teammates think?
According to Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen’s recent appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, he believes the odds of Rodgers returning are at “50-50.” Though, if it were up to Queen, he’d advocate for Rodgers’ return to Pittsburgh this season.
“Is he gonna be back?” Queen asked. “I don’t know. … But hell, I’ll take him. Dude is a great teammate, great quarterback. We all know him, we all love him. He knows how to win. We just have to be better for him.”
That’s been the typical sentiment of Steelers teammates who have gone on record about the Aaron Rodgers experience. With McCarthy on board as well, Rodgers seems to have a lot of support in his corner, which means it may only be a matter of time before he signs on the dotted line again.
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