Steelers GM offers big update on timeline for Aaron Rodgers decision amid renewed Vikings rumors

A recent report indicated that there was only a "minuscule" chance that 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers to play one more season. 

While speaking with reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday, Steelers general manager Omar Khan suggested that he has reason to believe Rodgers hasn't made a final decision about his future. 

Steelers, Aaron Rodgers have been "in communication" amid uncertainty

"I've been in communication with Aaron," Khan explained, according to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I know [head coach Mike McCarthy] has also. We've got good communication on his communication."

McCarthy was famously Rodgers' coach when the two were employed by the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through much of the 2018 season. More recently, Rodgers spent the first few months of the current league year as an unsigned free agent until he put pen to paper on his one-year Steelers contract in June 2025. 

"No deadline," Khan said about when he may want to learn about Rodgers' plans for the 2026 campaign. "All I'll tell you guys is I don't, I don't foresee this going like it did last year." 

Khan added that the Steelers would "certainly welcome Aaron back" because "we had a great experience with him" this past season. 

Are Minnesota Vikings an option for Aaron Rodgers?

The perception exists that Rodgers wanted to sign with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason before they decided to hand the offense over to 2024 first-round draft choice J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings may be ready to sit McCarthy after he dealt with injury issues and largely failed to impress across just 10 starts this past season. Meanwhile, it's no secret that Rodgers is close with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said during Tuesday's edition of the "Unsportsmanlike" program that he "wouldn't rule it out" that Rodgers could reject the Steelers if O'Connell wants to coach the future Hall of Famer later this year. 

"If he wanted to do that last year," Schefter added about Rodgers' reported interest in signing with the Vikings in 2025, "I don't know why he wouldn't want to do it this year." 

Assuming Khan is right, fans may not have to wait long to learn if Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh, join a different team or ride off into the sunset of retirement.