Rodgers Freezes Steelers’ Entire Offseason 13 Days Before Free Agency—53-Man Roster Held Hostage

Pelissero, one of the NFL’s most plugged-in reporters, left little ambiguity in his assessment. “The odds, as I said on Super Bowl Sunday, they are rising that Aaron Rodgers comes back,” he told Rich Eisen. “I don’t see it being any place else. If he’s going to play, I believe it will be for the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Pelissero has maintained this view consistently throughout the offseason, giving his words added credibility among those tracking the story.

Kinkhabwala Offers a Starkly Different View

Not everyone shares Pelissero’s optimism. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala made waves when she appeared on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan and painted a much grimmer picture for Steelers fans. “Most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule,” Kinkhabwala said. She added that people close to Rodgers during the season believe “it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”

Steelers GM Opens the Door

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Steelers GM Omar Khan confirmed the lines of communication with Rodgers remain open and warm. “The door’s open to have Aaron back,” Khan said, noting that both sides share a mutual respect built during the 2025 season. Crucially, Khan also signaled that neither party wants a repeat of last year’s agonizing wait. “I don’t think either side wants to have this drag on like it did last year,” Khan said.

A Mid-March Decision Expected

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has added meaningful clarity to the timeline, reporting that a return to Pittsburgh is currently “more likely than not,” with retirement remaining a secondary possibility. Schefter indicated there is a prevailing belief that Rodgers will finalize his decision by mid-March, coinciding with the opening of the NFL’s new league year. That would mark a significant departure from 2025, when Rodgers didn’t put pen to paper until June 5.

The McCarthy Factor

A pivotal subplot in this offseason drama is the hiring of Mike McCarthy as Pittsburgh’s new head coach on January 24, 2026. McCarthy coached Rodgers for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, during which Rodgers won two MVP awards and a Super Bowl, with two further MVPs earned later under a different head coach. McCarthy has been openly enthusiastic about a reunion, and has since added multiple former Packers assistant coaches to his staff, a move widely seen as a deliberate effort to create a familiar environment for Rodgers.

Rodgers’ 2025 Season With Pittsburgh

In his debut season with the Steelers, Rodgers delivered a solid if unspectacular performance, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He helped guide Pittsburgh to a 10-7 regular season record and the AFC North title, their first division crown since 2020. Two late-season wins over the Baltimore Ravens, including a comeback in the regular-season finale, were particular highlights of his first year in black and gold.

A Tough Playoff Exit

The season’s promising trajectory was derailed in brutal fashion in the wild-card round. The Houston Texans defense overwhelmed Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense, holding the veteran quarterback to just 17-of-33 passing for 146 yards, with an interception. The performance reignited questions about whether Rodgers, who turned 42 in December 2025, still has enough left in the tank to make a serious Super Bowl run. Those questions remain central to his 2026 decision.

The NBC Studio Analyst Alternative

Should Rodgers choose to hang up his cleats, a prominent off-field opportunity awaits. According to a report from The Athletic, highlighted by Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Fillipponi, NBC is actively targeting Rodgers as a potential NFL studio analyst for 2026. The network sees his football IQ, name recognition, and on-screen personality as a compelling combination. Networks have increasingly coveted former quarterbacks for broadcasting roles, and Rodgers would command immediate credibility.

Insider Mark Kaboly Sets a Timeline

Pittsburgh-based insider Mark Kaboly, who has been equally bullish on a Rodgers return, went a step further than Pelissero in mid-February. “I fully expect Rodgers to sign with the Steelers within the next month,” Kaboly wrote on X, forecasting a deal before the free agency period even gets underway. While no official agreement is in place, the convergence of Pelissero, Schefter, and Kaboly’s reporting suggests the weight of insider opinion leans toward a return.

What Comes Next for Pittsburgh

The Steelers find themselves in a familiar holding pattern, but the signals in 2026 are notably more optimistic than in previous offseasons. Khan has made clear the organization is preparing contingency plans, telling reporters at the Combine that Pittsburgh is also “looking for a franchise quarterback” should Rodgers retire. With free agency opening March 11 and a mid-March decision deadline firming up, Rodgers holds all the cards, and Steelers Nation is watching closely.

Sources:
“Steelers GM Omar Khan Says ‘Door’s Open’ for Aaron Rodgers Return.” NFL.com, February 2026.
“Steelers GM: Rodgers ‘Knows How We Feel’ About Possible Return.” ESPN, February 2026.
“NFL Insider Tom Pelissero Breaks Down Odds Aaron Rodgers Returns to Steelers.” The Rich Eisen Show, February 2026.
“There’s Reportedly a ‘Minuscule’ Chance Aaron Rodgers Will Make This Steelers Decision.” CBS Sports / 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh, February 2026.
“Aaron Rodgers and NBC: Could the NFL Star Become a Studio Analyst?” The Athletic, February 2026.