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Ben Roethlisberger makes feelings clear on Aaron Rodgers’ future.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expects Aaron Rodgers to return in 2026.
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last offseason, and he hinted that it would be his final year. However, he played well, and now he’s been linked to returning to Pittsburgh, yet no decision has been made.
Although Rodgers is still a free agent, Roethlisberger said he expects the future Hall of Famer to return.
“How is Aaron not coming back when you have those kinds of weapons? Like, what are we doing?” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast. “There’s no way he’s not coming back.”
Although Roethlisberger believes Rodgers will return to the Steelers, he just wants the quarterback to make a decision one way or another. He feels like this has already dragged on too long.
“Aaron, just let us know, man,” Roethlisberger said. “You can just say, ‘Hey, I’m coming back.’”
Rodgers has said he’s in no rush to make a decision, but the Steelers are no doubt hoping he will make his decision soon, one way or another. But, given the fact that Pittsburgh hasn’t made a move for a quarterback and traded for Michael Pittman Jr. to bolster the receiver position, this hints at Rodgers returning.
Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions last season with the Steelers.
Rodgers has no Deadline on Steelers’ Decision
Pittsburgh was hoping Rodgers wouldn’t take as long as last offseason to make his decision, but that could very well happen.
However, Rodgers went on The Pat McAfee Show and said there’s no deadline as he’s just enjoying time with his wife. But, he said, there also hasn’t been a contract issued to him, but conversations have had.
“There’s been no deadline that’s been put in front of me,” Rodgers told McAfee. “There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent. … I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the off-season, and I think there’s conversations to be had down the line, but right now, there hasn’t been any progressive conversations. I love Mike [McCarthy], and Mike and I have kept some contact over the years.
“I’ve had conversations with Omar [Khan]. I think Omar enjoyed having me there. I think the guys had a positive response to our time together, but again, there hasn’t been any deadlines set on me. There hasn’t been any contract floated in front of me for me to like, ‘Well, we’re giving you till March 8 to make a decision on this contract.’ There’s been nothing to that respect.”
Although no contract has been signed, all signs point to Rodgers returning to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh was Hoping for Quick Decision on Rodgers
Before free agency began, the Steelers were hopeful that Rodgers’ decision would be quicker than last season.
However, Steelers general manager Omar Khan said there wasn’t a deadline, but they were hopeful it would be quicker.
“I don’t really want to say it has to be done by then,” Khan said. “Would like to have an idea, but it just isn’t going to go like it did last year. … I think the circumstances are a little different, just conversations we had. I think neither side wants to have this drag on like it did last year.”
Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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