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NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala cast major doubt over quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
Over the past several weeks, NFL insiders have reported things will be more transparent with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Additionally, before Wednesday, signs pointed to Rodgers returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a Q&A mailbag on February 13, team insider Mark Kaboly was very confident Rodgers would return. But not only that, Kaboly wrote Rodgers could sign before the start of 2026 NFL free agency.
On Wednesday, though, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala offered a very contrary take on Rodgers’s 2026 NFL decision.
During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kinkhabwala strongly suggested Rodgers is not likely to return this fall.
“Having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule,” said Kinkhabwala, via Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle. “In conversations with people who were around him all year who were with him when he was leaving the Steelers when the season was over, all of those people that I spoke to said that it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”
Initially after signing with the Steelers last June, Rodgers all but said it would be his final NFL season. However, Rodgers began floating the idea he could return for 2026 as early as training camp.
This offseason, Rodgers’s return possibilities have been wishy, washy. Initially, it seemed to be zero but they had been steadily increasing until Kinkhabwala’s radio appearance.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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