The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers, but the team is not treating the situation like an emergency. As draft week approaches, general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike McCarthy have both said there is no hard deadline for Rodgers to make a decision, even though the veteran quarterback remains unsigned after his one-year deal expired last month.
Rodgers did not attend the start of voluntary minicamp at the team’s practice facility, and his absence quickly became one of the main talking points around the Steelers. But the message from the team has stayed consistent: communication has remained positive, and Pittsburgh is prepared to give him more time to decide what comes next.
Steelers keep waiting without creating pressure
Khan said the team has stayed in touch with Rodgers and that nothing has changed in the relationship. He added that both sides understand where they stand, which has allowed the Steelers to avoid turning the situation into a public standoff.
At the NFL’s annual meeting, team owner Art Rooney II said he expected an answer from Rodgers by the draft, which begins Thursday. That expectation has now softened, at least publicly, as Khan and McCarthy stressed that no firm deadline has been set.
McCarthy, who worked with Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay, said the quarterback already understands enough of the offense and team environment that his absence from the early offseason sessions is not a major concern. He described Rodgers as someone who is likely more prepared than many would assume if he does eventually join the team.
Pittsburgh uses the reps with other quarterbacks
While Rodgers sorts through his decision, the Steelers have moved ahead with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard handling the work at quarterback. McCarthy said the two split reps during the first two days of voluntary minicamp, giving Pittsburgh a chance to evaluate both players more closely.
Rudolph brings six years of NFL experience, while Howard is still trying to build momentum after a rookie season disrupted by an injury to his pinky finger during training camp. McCarthy said Howard has made clear progress and praised his offseason shape, movement, and footwork as the team begins to install its offense.
The coach also said he sees value in these sessions even without a veteran starter present. The extra practice time, he noted, helps the younger quarterbacks improve and gives the staff a better look at how the offense develops from day to day.
Draft planning remains part of the bigger picture
The Steelers have not limited their quarterback planning to Rodgers alone. McCarthy said the team prefers to carry three quarterbacks on the roster and possibly keep a fourth in the building through the practice squad if the setup allows it.
That approach fits a draft process in which Pittsburgh has done significant work on the quarterback class. The team has 12 picks and hosted four draft prospects for in-person visits: Penn State’s Drew Allar, Miami’s Carson Beck, North Dakota State’s Cole Payton and Arkansas’ Taylen Green.
McCarthy also attended Garrett Nussmeier’s pro day at LSU and spoke with Alabama’s Ty Simpson at the NFL scouting combine. He said quarterback remains the most important position in football and that the Steelers want to keep adding to it whenever the fit makes sense.
For now, though, the central storyline remains Rodgers’ choice. Pittsburgh continues to leave space for him to decide while the team’s offseason work, roster planning and draft preparation move forward at the same time.