Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most pressing questions heading into the 2026 offseason. However, the arrival of his former head coach Mike McCarthy has tilted his thinking into “yes” territory, and Ian Rapoport has given an update on when a decision is expected.

Speaking during the NFL Network’s Combine coverage on Saturday, he said:

“Surely an answer is coming before free agency.”

He also made it clear that the multiple-time MVP wanted to remain in Allegheny County and nowhere else:

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“That’s what it feels like. Pittsburgh or nothing. Good experience [in 2025]. Liked the locker room a lot, like, made some friends. It was a really good experience. Played certainly well enough, played through injuries. If he was going to come back for anyone, Mike McCarthy makes sense, so obviously, that would seem to be the spot.”

Still, that has not stopped other teams from being linked to Rodgers. The Minnesota Vikings remain the frontrunner, as they were in 2025, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes that he is among a mold that J.J. McCarthy desperately needs to learn what being a top-notch player entails:

“It would remind him about the parts of his game he still needs to work on and get him back on track to where Minnesota can hopefully harness his talent and build him into the franchise QB it thought he was when it drafted him.”

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CBS insider names two quarterback options should Aaron Rodgers leave Steelers

Of course, there is also the possibility that Aaron Rodgers does not return to the Steelers in 2026 and even retires. With that in mind, CBS Sports’ John Breech has two names in mind.

Daniel Jones was having a major turnaround with the Indianapolis Colts before tearing his Achilles tendon. He exited with career-highs in completion percentage (68%), passing yards per game (238.5) and yards per passing attempt (8.1).

Another is Malik Willis, who has been remarkably clean in his starts as a Green Bay Packer (six touchdowns against zero interceptions):

“After flaming out as a 2022 third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans… Willis is ready for another chance at being an NFL starting quarterback.”

The 2026 league year begins on March 11.