Aaron Rodgers Saga Rolls on, Steelers Continue to Wait
There was speculation that Aaron Rodgers would announce he’s signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Pat McAfee’s sold out Big Night AHT event at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday, but that did not come to pass.
McAfee debunked the rumor on Ben Roethlisberger’s Footbahlin podcast. He also said during the show that Rodgers was not there.
Nevertheless, McAfee kept the crowd on edge all night with possible hints.
“Aaron Rodgers is not on the docket,” McAfee told Roethlisberger. “So I would like everyone to know that, because I think the show has so many, like, real moments that are coming. And I think there’s a chance people afterwards go, ‘Freaking didn’t see Aaron Rodgers out there.’ I have not talked to Aaron Rodgers. think it would be a positive reaction at that particular show, but I haven’t talked to him in weeks, months at this point.”
Rodgers appears on McAfee’s show every Tuesday during the season, so the theory was understandable. Rodgers has been pondering his decision over the last month, too. And the Steelers are really the only option. All signs point to Rodgers landing in the Steel City. When that occurs is anyone’s guess, though.
McAfee gave away or donated approximately $3 million total at Big Night AHT. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes and Pittsburgh Penguins legends Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang appeared on stage to wrap up the event.
Both Roethlisberger and Crosby threw a football through a ring that contributed a combined $2 million ($1 million each), while Skenes missed his throw. A Philadelphia Eagles fan in the crowd won the $2 million.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network expects Rodgers to make an announcement before the NFL Draft.
“I would be very surprised if Rodgers waited until after the draft,” Rapoport said. “I would be very surprised if it wasn’t the Steelers if he plays. What I have not 100% been able to nail down is, is he absolutely, definitely playing?”
If Rodgers doesn’t make his decision by the draft, decides to play elsewhere or retires, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network thinks quarterback is very much in play for the Steelers at pick No. 21.
“I think if Jaxson Dart’s there, I think there’s a conversation,” Jeremiah said on “Up & Adams.” “If Shedeur’s (Sanders) there, there’s a conversation.”
Steelers president Art Rooney II said the team is getting good signs about where it stands with Rodgers, though no decision has been made yet.
Speaking at the close of the 2025 NFL owners meetings last week, Rooney admitted that has been surprised that things have taken as long as they have with the free agent quarterback, but the team continues to be confident he’ll eventually sign with the Steelers.
Rooney said he saw Rodgers choosing to work out with Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf as one of a number of positive signs the team has gotten that Rodgers will eventually sign in Pittsburgh.
“I would say it’s a good sign he wanted to do that,” Rooney said. “We keep hearing that he’s, I guess, headed in our direction. That seems to be all signs are positive so far. … We keep getting positive sort-of signals about it. I’d say we feel pretty good about it.”
That was the general theme at the NFL owners meeting. Rooney, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan all sounded confident that Rodgers will sign with the Steelers.
“When you talk to people from Pittsburgh, they really give you the sense that this is all gonna work out,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. “We’re fine, you heard Mike Tomlin, I’m not panicked. He’s having the direct communication with Rodgers and I believe Rodgers is telling him, ‘We’ll get there.’”
Rooney did not give a timeframe for a decision from Rodgers, and said the team is comfortable waiting at this point.
“Not forever, but a little while longer,” he said. “… Hopefully, we’ll know something soon.”
Roethlisberger thought Rodgers was dragging out his decision with the hope of joining the Minnesota Vikings. But he has since changed his mind on the matter.
Roethlisberger shared that he now believes Rodgers could be buying time for a yet-to-be-mentioned wild-card team.
“I have a new theory,” Roethlisberger said. “So I think the Vikings are out. I thought he was holding out because I thought the Vikings were a more ready team. I still think he’s going to sign with the Steelers. I don’t think he’s ready to retire yet. You don’t put that work in if you’re retiring yet.
“I think either he’s going to wait … for the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday night or you’re waiting for the draft to see if they’re going to draft a quarterback. Maybe he doesn’t want to be here if they’re going to bring a guy in. Or is there a wild-card team out there,” Roethlisberger continued. “Maybe there’s a quarterback out there, I’m not going to mention any names, who maybe has a subtle injury that we don’t know about. A starting quarterback on a team out there that has an injury that people don’t know about. Maybe he’s waiting for that.”