The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their 2026 preseason with a convincing 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers, but the biggest takeaway came from the performances of rookie quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard.

Allar, Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, delivered the standout performance of the night. The former Penn State quarterback completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown as the Steelers’ offense found another gear with him under center.

The rookie’s efficiency was particularly encouraging. Allar repeatedly attacked the middle of the field and showed the arm strength and mobility that once made him a highly regarded NFL prospect. His performance came after a difficult final college season at Penn State, when a season-ending ankle injury limited him to six games.

Head coach Mike McCarthy praised Allar after the game, saying the rookie played “very, very well.” McCarthy also highlighted the performances of the other young quarterbacks competing for roster spots.

Will Howard, selected by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, also showed poise in his preseason appearance. Howard completed 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards, helping reinforce the Steelers’ depth at quarterback. Veteran Mason Rudolph was similarly efficient, completing 10 of 11 passes for 93 yards.

The quarterback performances are especially intriguing because Aaron Rodgers did not play in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener. Rodgers remains the expected starter for the regular season, meaning Allar and Howard are currently competing for roles behind the veteran.

Still, Allar’s debut could have long-term significance for the Steelers. Once considered a potential first-round selection, he entered the 2026 draft after a disappointing and injury-shortened final season at Penn State. Pittsburgh ultimately selected him in the third round, giving the organization an opportunity to develop a quarterback with considerable physical upside.

The Steelers’ victory was also a strong overall offensive showing, with Pittsburgh quarterbacks combining for 332 passing yards on 27 completions in 33 attempts. Green Bay managed only nine points, while Pittsburgh’s defense consistently limited the Packers’ offense.

For now, the Steelers have no reason to rush Allar into the starting lineup. But after one impressive preseason performance, Allar has already given Pittsburgh fans another reason to watch the quarterback room closely.

Aaron Rodgers erased any lingering ambiguity about his football future this week, telling reporters at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp that his 22nd NFL season will unquestionably be his last.

Asked directly whether there was any chance he’d reconsider and return for 2027, the 42-year-old quarterback didn’t hedge. “No. Zero debate,” he said Tuesday. The blunt answer puts to rest months of speculation that has trailed Rodgers since he first floated retirement a year ago, only to change course once Pittsburgh made a coaching change over the offseason.

That coaching change, Rodgers explained, was the deciding factor in coming back at all. He’d been leaning toward walking away, he said, until the Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy — his former head coach in Green Bay — to run the sideline.

“I thought last year might be it, and then Mike got hired, and I talked to my wife, and she said you can do one more year, see if it works out, and then it kind of all came together,” Rodgers said. The reunion gives him a coach with whom he won a Super Bowl and shared nearly a decade of Packers history, a familiarity Rodgers has cited as part of what made an extra year appealing. Completing this season will make him just the eighth player in league history to log at least 22 years in the NFL.

Not everyone in the locker room is convinced the door is fully closed. Receiver D.K. Metcalf, entering his second season alongside Rodgers in Pittsburgh, offered a more skeptical read on the finality of it all. “People just say things, end of the year, not knowing how the year could go,” Metcalf said. “He may not even get hit or touched this year, and he may say, ‘Hey, let’s go out there and do another one.'”

Metcalf added that shedding the uncertainty seems to have freed Rodgers up mentally, letting him “play free” alongside teammates he’s grown close to over the past two years.

Health permitting, Rodgers is looking to close out his career on a stronger note than last season provided. He started all but one game in 2025 despite playing through a fractured left wrist suffered in Week 11, guiding Pittsburgh to an AFC North title before a Wild Card-round loss to Houston. The Steelers open preseason play Aug. 13 against Green Bay, with the regular-season opener set for Sept. 13 at home against Atlanta.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting a decision from future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as the team’s voluntary minicamp begins.

New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is operating with Will Howard as the starting quarterback, as they wait for a decision from Rodgers. Howard is one of two quarterbacks under contract for the Steelers, along with Mason Rudolph.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan has said that the team has continued to have “positive” conversations with Rodgers about a potential reunion with his former Green Bay Packers head coach.

The Steelers also did not pursue a quarterback during free agency, which could mean the team is confident that Rodgers will return for a 22nd season.

Rodgers led the Steelers to the playoffs last season, winning the AFC North before losing in the wildcard round to the Houston Texans. The Steelers decided to move on from long-time head coach Mike Tomlin, paving the way for McCarthy to be the next Steelers head coach.

In a rare move, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed a UFA tender on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday.

Using the UFA tender allows the Steelers to receive a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers decides to sign with another team, and it also limits him to signing with a team before training camp begins. This gives the Steelers exclusive negotiating rights if he does not sign with a team before July 22.

This will also allow Rodgers to accept a 10% raise over his last year’s salary, which would put his total contract at $15 million.

The Steelers still remain confident that they will strike a deal with the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback despite placing this tender on him. The decision is considered “procedural” if he decides to go to another team.

Rodgers didn’t sign until early June last year, signing a one-year deal right before the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp began.

The Steelers did draft a quarterback in the NFL draft, selecting former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said that drafting Allar had no implications on Rodgers’ future with the Steelers, saying, “This is about developing the room and trying to make the room as deep as we possibly can.”

On Thursday’s Pat McAfee Show, future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers spoke about his mystery wife and why he wants to stay in shape all the time.

Rodgers has yet to go public with his wife, but he did talk about her for the first time in the media. He and his wife do not want to be in the spotlight, according to Rodgers, and he plans to keep it that way.

McAfee told Rodgers that he looked good and happy at the beginning of the interview, asking Rodgers what is next for him as a human and football player. Rodgers gave a quick response, saying that he is “trying to stay fit.” Admitting that it gets harder as he continues to get older.

“You can’t take the same amount of time off as you used to,” Rodgers said. “After so many seasons, I would take a few weeks off, a month off, a month-and-a-half. Now, at 42, just to stay in shape, you got to kind of always be… on the diet and sleep and workouts if you want to look the right way.”

He then admitted that he wants to look as good as possible, as he candidly said, “I want to look good. I want my wife to want to f— me all the time,” causing McAfee and his co-host to burst out in laughter.

Rodgers also said that the outside obsession with his and his wife’s relationship is “bizarre,” claiming that he has allegedly been stalked on numerous occasions.

“I’ve been getting stalked at my house for about a year-and-a-half when I was living there. Not just that, but stalked at the coffee shop I would frequent, the gym at Proactive that I would go to, which was really bizarre and still is. Then the paparazzi was stalking me for a long time, flying drones over my house.”

As Rodgers settles into his personal life, the 42-year-old has a big decision to make: whether he wants to continue playing football or retire into the sunset.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent time on the sideline after he suffered a fracture in his left, non-throwing wrist during Sunday’s 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Team officials believe Rodgers has a slight wrist injury and sent him for additional tests on Monday to determine how long he will be out.

Rodgers was injured late in the second quarter when he was tackled while he threw the ball away on a red zone play. He landed hard on his left hand and wrist. He remained in for one more snap before Chris Boswell kicked a 25-yard field goal, then did not return after halftime.

The Steelers initially listed the 41-year-old with a hand injury and ruled him questionable to return, but head coach Mike Tomlin later clarified that the issue was with Rodgers’ wrist. Tomlin said he spoke with Rodgers after the game, but that their conversation focused on the importance of the victory rather than the injury.

Before exiting, Rodgers completed 9 of 15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown to running back Kenneth Gainwell, which helped Pittsburgh build a comfortable lead.

Backup Mason Rudolph took over to start the second half after Rodgers pointed to him in the locker room and told him he was going in. Rudolph responded with an efficient performance, going 12 of 16 for 127 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to Gainwell as the Steelers closed out the win.

The victory lifted Pittsburgh to 6-4 and kept the Steelers on top of the AFC North, but their playoff push may now hinge on how quickly their veteran quarterback can safely play through the injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he wants to retire with the Green Bay Packers and end his career at Lambeau Field.

With the 41-year-old set to face his former team on Sunday Night Football, the quarterback outlined some of his retirement plans on Thursday during a Zoom call with Green Bay reporters.

“I was there for 18 years,” Rodgers said via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s the bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer and see what happens after that.”

Rodgers also said he had “some of the best years” of his life in Green Bay and has “nothing but love for the organization.”

Earlier this summer, the former Super Bowl XLV champion said he was “pretty sure” the 2025 season would be his last in the NFL. Rodgers is currently under a one-year deal with the Steelers after signing for the franchise in June.

Sunday night was Rodgers’ first time playing against the Packers since he left Wisconsin after the 2022 season.

“I’ve got a lot of love for those memories and a lot of great friends that I still carry with me to this day.”

Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers ascended higher in the pantheon of Hall of Fame quarterbacks on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

It was the second quarter when the Steelers were up by 7 points. The clock read 13:53, with second-and-nine.

Rodgers threw the ball at the 12-yard line to wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Completing the pass gave Rodgers his 509th career pass touchdown.

Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre’s 508 career pass touchdowns. This play put him in fourth place on the all-time passing touchdowns list.

“We got to make those plays so we’re not in those positions,” Rodgers said. “It means I’ve played a long time,” when asked about the milestones.

Later in the game, Rodgers made another play that earned him his 510th career pass touchdown.

In this play, it was the fourth quarter with 2:16 left on the clock to give the victory to the Steelers.

Rodgers’ overall stats included 16 completed throws out of 23 attempts. He accumulated a total of 139 yards and one interception.

The Steelers won 21-14. Their next game is scheduled for September 28 against the Vikings.

Aaron Rodgers had a rough second game with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. After a strong Week 1 game, Rodgers took a huge step back with the outcome of the Steelers’ first home game.

The Seahawks’ win evened their record at 1-1, tied with the Steelers 1-1 after their Week 1 win.

Rodgers was stuck behind the wall, which was the Seahawks’ defense on Sunday. He completed only 18 of 33 passes for 203 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The quarterback was sacked three times in the game, as the Steelers’ offense struggled to maintain momentum. While the Steelers sputtered, the Seahawks rose to the occasion.

Quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns while running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards, adding to the score. The Seahawks capitalized on the Steelers’ mistakes throughout the game.

Rodgers expressed frustration after a critical pass aimed at tight end Pat Freiermuth was intercepted by wide receiver Calvin Austin III, resulting in a turnover. The play happened with just four minutes left in the third quarter.

With the game tied 14-14 and Pittsburgh threatening from the 4-yard line, the team had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Instead, the ball bounced off Austin’s hands, and Seahawks’ running back Deion Kendrick corralled the deflection for a pick.

Rodgers explained after the game that Austin was in the wrong place and Freiermuth had a better chance of catching the play if Austin hadn’t gotten in his way.

“Cal’s the best kid ever, but he probably should have stayed in the flat there. He knows it,” Rodgers said in a post-game press conference. “He was kind of stealing it from Pat or catching it to put it away and score a touchdown. Cal’s the best kid, and it sucks because he’s such a great kid. But unfortunately, that whole sequence took points off the board.”

The interception turned into a momentum shift against the Steelers.

The overall offensive struggles and mounting pressure took a significant toll on the team. The Steelers only managed to get one field goal after the turnover, while Seattle outscored them 17-3 in the fourth quarter.

The Steelers will regroup in Week 3 for an away game against the New England Patriots while the Seahawks carry the momentum of their first-season win.

While Aaron Rodgers proved he is still an elite quarterback in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ dramatic 34-32 win over the Jets, the run defense remains a glaring liability.

Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 224 yards, starting off strong with a touchdown during the Steelers’ opening drive. He added three more touchdown passes and engineered two fourth-quarter drives that set up placekicker Chris Boswell’s 60-yard field goal in the final 1:03 of the game.

At 41, Rodgers became the first player to throw four touchdown passes in a game against a former team since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2010. After an injury-shortened season, the victory gave Rodgers redemption against the New York Jets.

“There were probably people in the organization that didn’t think I could play anymore,” Rodgers said after the game. “So, it was nice to remind those people I still can.”

Rodgers’ gameplay accuracy and attitude on the field silenced any doubts about his health and age. Head coach Mike Tomlin credited Rodgers for his indifferent composure despite the MetLife Stadium crowd giving him a somewhat hostile welcome.

“He doesn’t care,” Tomlin said. “It was Week 1. It was a lot to be excited about. We got the victory, it’s on to the next one.”

Before the game, Rodgers was seen reunited with a former Jets equipment staffer, Karan Patel, with whom he would consistently play passes during his injury recovery in 2023. The moment was a testament to Rodgers’ complex tenure with the Jets.

The game also highlighted concerns with the offense, echoing previous analyst warnings. The offensive line allowed too much pressure and four sacks. The rushing game remains overall underdeveloped, posing a threat later in the season, even if Rodgers still excels in critical moments.

Rodgers’s almost seamless transition into the Pittsburgh system gives hope for the team’s season-long performance.

The Steelers will return home on Sept. 14 to face the Seattle Seahawks. The New York Jets will be looking to regroup as they face the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.

Veteran star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has offered some honest advice to a Steelers teammate ahead of the new NFL season.

At their recent training camp, the 41-year-old was asked about second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who struggled to make an impact during his rookie season. Wilson’s debut campaign was derailed by a hamstring injury in October, but Rodgers suggested that there’s something else holding the young star back.

According to 93.7 The Fan, he said: “I gotta get [Roman] out of his head a little bit. I think he’s such a good kid. He cares so much, whether it’s my approval or if he’s doing it right. He’s just gotta trust himself because he’s so damn talented.

“The more you play free and not think out there, the better he’s gonna play. The more he can just trust what he’s got, and then just go out there and react, the better he can play.”

Rodgers’ comments can only be viewed as constructive criticism of his teammate and it appears that the two have already established a connection on the field. In Tuesday’s session, the two connected for an impressive touchdown as Wilson dived to make a stunning catch.

Speaking to The Athletic afterwards, Wilson said: “Just trying to be open at all times. I want him to want to use me. I want to be that guy.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will be hoping that Rodgers is able to rediscover his best form with the franchise after they suffered an injury in the quarterback department. On Tuesday, it emerged that Will Howard, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has suffered a fracture in his hand after banging it during practice.

While the young quarterback is awaiting further tests, it is not expected that Howard will be required to undergo surgery. However, he is still expected to be ruled out for at least three weeks with the 2025 season on the horizon.

After spending 2024 at Ohio State following four years at Kansas State, Howard is entering his rookie year with the Steelers under the mentorship of Rodgers. The four-time MVP, who signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with Pittsburgh this offseason, is expected to suit up as Tomlin’s starter under center.

Aaron Rodgers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced last week, as it ends months of uncertainty around his future and uniting the four-time MVP with a franchise that desperately needs quarterback help.

The news comes more than 80 days after the start of free agency and 70 days after Rodgers visited the Steelers, which makes this signing long overdue. Rodgers joined the Steelers at this week’s mandatory minicamp.

The deal with the Steelers sets up a Week 1 showdown between Rodgers and his former team, the New York Jets, who will host the Steelers in the season opener.

After the Steelers let both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields leave in free agency, Rodgers has been linked with them for some time. Rodgers visited the team’s practice facility on March 21 and remained in contact with the organization while weighing his options about his future.

The Steelers did not use a high draft pick on a quarterback in the NFL Draft and were set to enter their mandatory offseason program with Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round rookie Will Howard rounding out their quarterback room.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin loomed large throughout the process and was a drawing card for Rodgers. Tomlin was happy to work within Rodgers’ timeline this offseason.

“I wasn’t stringing anyone along. I wasn’t holding anyone hostage,” Rodgers told The Pat McAfee Show in an appearance on April 17. “I was honest from the jump about where I was at mentally and some of the constraints I have in my life right now that warrant my attention. … I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement may still be a possibility, but right now, my focus has been—and will continue to be—on my personal life. And that’s what I’ve told the coaches. There’s still conversations that are being had. It’s all been very honest lines of communication.”

The Steelers’ contract is pending a physical.

The Steelers completed their 21st consecutive season with a winning record, going 10-7. The Steelers looked like they would finally get their first playoff win in eight seasons, despite making it four times before that, but lost to their divisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 14-28. The season was full of ups and downs, starting with quarterback Justin Fields before he was benched for Russell Wilson in week seven.

The team won six of their next seven games with Wilson, making them one of the best teams in the NFL before losing their last four, which put them in the sixth seed and ended the season on a disappointing note once again.

Heading into the offseason, the Steelers had no quarterbacks under contract and had to decide between Fields and Wilson. The team ended up choosing neither – Fields signed with the Jets, and Wilson went to the Giants. With no quarterback, the Steelers signed former Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, but they weren’t done there. The Steelers were rumored to be interested in four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who had just been released from the Jets. Rodgers was believed to have the star power to help the Steelers get over the hump and get their Super Bowl aspirations back. After months of waiting, Rodgers finally signed with the team in June to a one-year deal.

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The team continued to reshape their offense, trading for former All-Pro wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Steelers looked like they were going to have one of the best wide receiver duos with Metcalf and emerging star George Pickens, but instead, they traded Pickens to the Cowboys before the duo got a chance to play together. They also added to their already dominant defense by signing former All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay. Their departures included cornerback Donte Jackson, guard James Daniels, running back Najee Harris and Elandon Roberts.

After losing many key pieces to the team in free agency, the Steelers entered the draft needing to rebuild. Many fans and analysts wanted Shedeur Sanders at pick number 20 in the first round, but Pittsburgh drafted defensive tackle Derrick Harmon out of Oregon. Many fans disliked the pick until the Steelers took National Champion quarterback Will Howard out of Ohio State in the sixth round. Howard now joins Rudolph and Rodgers in the quarterback room. The Steelers also made other key selections like running back Kaleb Johnson to replace Najee Harris and linebacker Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State to pair up with former defensive player of the year TJ Watt.

Pittsburgh enters the 2025 season with the 10th most demanding schedule, according to Fox Sports, opening its season with two revenge games. Week one vs the Jets, which is a rematch of both teams’ quarterbacks on the opposite team from last season, with Fields on the Jets and Rodgers on the Steelers. Then in week two, it’s a revenge game for wide receiver Metcalf vs his former team, the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers will have their work cut out for them, having to play top teams from last season like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens twice. Although the biggest game of the season is a matchup vs the Green Bay Packers in week eight. Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Packers, winning four MVPS and a Super Bowl with the team before getting traded to the Jets three seasons ago. The Steelers and Packers’ week eight matchup is set to be one of the most anticipated NFL games of the season.

For the Steelers to finally get a playoff win for the first time since 2017, they will have to reidentify their offense and continue their suffocating defense on teams if they have any shot of winning one of the toughest divisions in football. With Rodgers finally signing with the team, there is new life to the Steelers’ Super Bowl aspirations, but it will be no easy task making it back to the playoffs next season.

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STEELERS 2025 SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 7 at New York Jets
• Week 2: Sept. 14 against Seattle Seahawks
• Week 3: Sept. 21 at New England Patriots
• Week 4: Sept. 28 against Minnesota Vikings (in Dublin, Ireland)
• Week 5: Bye Week
• Week 6: Oct. 12 against Cleveland Browns
• Week 7: Oct. 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 8: Oct. 26 against Green Bay Packers
• Week 9: Nov. 2 against Indianapolis Colts
• Week 10: Nov. 9 at Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 11: Nov. 16 against Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 12: Nov. 23 at Chicago Bears
• Week 13: Nov. 30 against Buffalo Bills
• Week 14: Dec. 7 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 15: Dec. 15 against Miami Dolphins
• Week 16: Dec. 21 at Detroit Lions
• Week 17: Dec. 28 at Cleveland Browns
• Week 18: against Baltimore Ravens

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PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2025 SEASON ODDS

With Aaron Rodgers joining the Steelers, their Super Bowl odds increased to +4000. Despite the relatively higher odds of winning the Super Bow,l the Steelers are only favored to win six out of their 17 games this season. Heading into week one of the season, the Steelers are favored to win their game vs the Jets at -3 favorites in what should be an exciting start to the season with Rodgers vs his former team.

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Aaron Rodgers‘ career is coming close to an end, but he is not retiring from the NFL yet. There is a strong chance, when he decides to retire, he will end up retiring as a member of the Green Bay Packers, but it is not set in stone.

During an interview on the YNK podcast with Mike Stud, the four-time NFL MVP was asked if he was planning to retire as a Packer once his career is over.

“I’ve thought about that, but I don’t understand what the reason for that is,” Rodgers said. “At the same time, I grew up a [49ers] fan and most of my favorite players retired as a Niner. Jerry Rice, who went to three other teams, came back and retired as a Niner, so I understand the cool thing about it, but if I didn’t do it, would that make a difference in how I’m viewed in the Packers’ eyes?”

Signing a one-day contract to retire with a team is mostly a symbolic gesture, which might be the reason why Rodgers doesn’t sound overly excited about possibly going through that in Green Bay. The reason why he could do it is to mend things with the Packers.

Rodgers and the Packers went through a bitter divorce that officially ended in April 2023 when he was traded to the New York Jets in a deal that ended Rodgers’ 18-year run in Green Bay that included a Super Bowl 45 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2022, Rodgers had said that he would “definitely” retire as a Packers player as long as the team didn’t trade him, but then he got traded. Rodgers said he would be willing to retire a Packer under one condition: If the team “approached” him, he’d be all for it.

“There’s a lot of love for me and how I feel about the team,” Rodgers said. “If I do or I don’t [retire as a Packer], I don’t think it should make a difference, I’m not sure yet. If they approached me about it, I probably would.”

Rodgers is still currently a free agent.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t mince words when he recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show.

“I’ve flown across the country, and 20 seconds in, I’m talking to the GM, and [New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn] leans to the edge of his seat and says: ‘You’re sure you want to play football?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’m interested.’ And he said, ‘We’re going in another direction at quarterback.’”

Rodgers, who’s been a primary subject of offseason speculation since his announced release by the Jets in February, said he was “kind of shocked” by the firing. He had assumed, despite a hugely disappointing two years in New York, that Glenn had asked to meet with him to discuss directions for the team going forward. Again, he repeated, he “flew across the country on [his] own dime.”

Rodgers went on to detail his hostile conversation with Glenn following the announcement, deriding the Jets’ leadership and Glenn’s character. He discussed the possibility of signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers – he’s spoken to head coach Mike Tomlin “many times” – and called New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll a “beautiful football mind.” Rodgers, 41, said that he was willing to play for $10 million, less than any other quarterback except those on rookie contracts.

But the headline, really, is how Rodgers has decided to handle the end of his tenure with the Jets.

Rodgers’ arrival to the Jets two offseasons ago conjured hope in the hearts of a fanbase that’s still nursing the longest ongoing playoff drought in North American professional sports. He promised a revamp, surrounding himself with coaches and players that he had liked in the past, including Dalvin Cook and Allen Lazard.

The Jets went 7-10 in 2023, a season in which Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury in the first game. With his return in 2024, a team that many had projected to win the AFC East limped to a 5-12 finish.

And Rodgers hasn’t just failed to deliver on the field. He’s made headlines for other reasons, whether that’s parroting conspiracy theories or hinting that he would be back from his ACL tear by the end of the 2023 season (he wasn’t).

It’s not hard to see why Rodgers may not fit into the culture the Jets hope to build – and Rodgers’ segment on the Pat McAfee Show doesn’t do much to disprove that.

The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled through 2024 with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson as their quarterbacks, posting an impressive season before losing their last four games and, in a seemingly perennial move, getting washed out of the playoffs in the first round. By all accounts, the team wanted to keep Fields, despite relieving him of the starting position for Wilson. But the New York Jets got there first – and now the Steelers are working on contingencies.

That’s where quarterback Mason Rudolph comes in. He returns to Pittsburgh, his draft team, on a two-year deal after a single season away with the Tennessee Titans. Rudolph was largely a career backup for the Steelers, sitting behind Ben Roethlisberger and later Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, but proved an important asset with injuries and poor starter play.

The Steelers will be hoping for Rudolph to reprise his role as backup, but the free agent quarterback pool continues to shrink. Wilson is visiting the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, and is a sought-after commodity in a thin market – not to mention that Pittsburgh reportedly sees him as “Plan B.” Meanwhile, the Steelers are competing with the Giants and potentially the Vikings to land Aaron Rodgers following his unfortunate stint with the Jets.

As the Las Vegas Raiders demonstrated earlier this offseason, quarterback fortunes can change in a moment. There aren’t many to go around, and if Pittsburgh doesn’t make a concerted push for Rodgers or Wilson, it’s likely that Rudolph will be their day one starter.

Rudolph, entering his seventh season in the NFL, went 8-4-1 as a starter in Pittsburgh. The 2024 season saw him step in for Will Levis in Tennessee, posting nine touchdowns and nine interceptions and going 1-4, along with a 63.7% completion percentage.

There doesn’t appear to be an absolute right or wrong option for the Steelers at this point in the offseason. Being forced to start Rudolph, however, probably wouldn’t elicit much fan enthusiasm.

One of few positive moments of the 2024 season for New York Jets fans came in October, when star wide receiver Davante Adams revealed his trade to the team by appearing behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show.

The move – which brought Adams to New York for a conditional third-round pick – came following three close losses, bumping the Jets to 2-4. Despite the skid, which would extend for two more games, the Jets’ front office continued to market themselves as “all-in.” That’s where Adams came in.

>READ MORE: HOW DEVANTE ADAMS LANDED WITH THE JETS

At the beginning of the season, Adams had five 1,000-yard seasons, with another two coming in at just three yards under that mark. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and had been named to the First Team All-Pro twice. Most notably, he had achieved most of that success with the Green Bay Packers, catching balls from none other than Rodgers, who went to the Jets a season after Adams landed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Optimism was high. Adams delivered on his end, by and large, posting a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season and catching seven touchdowns for the Jets, who direly needed the offensive production. But the team – and Rodgers – struggled, finishing with a record of 5-12.

Two seasons of cratered expectations were enough. The Jets are moving on from Rodgers, and have officially released Adams after trade negotiations presumably didn’t yield fruit.

The 32-year-old’s contract would have counted for a league-high $38.3 million against the salary cap in 2025. With Adams’ contract off the books, the Jets have an additional $29.877 million in cap space – although their attraction for free agents amid the upheaval is slim, to say the least.

In the meantime, the Jets will roll with Garrett Wilson, who seems to be their only viable long-term option at wide receiver (Allen Lazard, another Rodgers favorite, seems likely to be released). Wilson, 24, had another productive campaign in 2024, posting his third 1,000-yard season of his three-year career. Even so, unless he takes a massive step, he can’t carry the Jets offense by himself.

It’s now New York’s responsibility to find a quarterback and secondary receiver(s) – or risk another year in the league basement.

The New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers are going their separate ways, with New York bringing in a new staff to find another path forward. Rodgers reportedly still wants to play in the NFL, and his list of suitors seems to be narrowing by the day.

After a lot of supposed discussion about quarterback shuffling, the Los Angeles Rams have emerged as a surprising front runner to sign Rodgers. This seems like a puzzling move for the team on paper, but the rumors have persisted. The Rams have long been reported to be seeking offers for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Shifting gears from Stafford to Rodgers seems counterintuitive, as Stafford led Los Angeles to the playoffs last year while Rodgers wallowed in New York. The Rams seem intent on avoiding a long-term deal for Stafford, however. Instead of seeking a younger talent, Los Angeles could instead be looking for ways to maximize results for the current roster with someone more experienced like Rodgers.

Beyond the Rams, the Steelers and Raiders remain logical contenders to consider Rodgers. Both teams have very uncertain quarterback situations entering the 2025 season. Pittsburgh is stuck between veteran Russell Wilson and struggling upstart Justin Fields. Las Vegas has no clear path whatsoever. That being said, it would be just as logical for either team to pursue Stafford, a marginally younger passer coming off a better season with less baggage off the field. He would also cost more to sign, which could be a determining factor in Rodgers’ favor.

The Colts and Titans also stand out as struggling teams that would assume the risk of signing Rodgers. The Vikings are the most entertaining on the list of teams in quarterback limbo. If Rodgers went to Minnesota, many have pointed out that his career would closely mirror that of Brett Favre, his mentor on the Green Bay Packers at the start of his career.

From a statistical standpoint, Rodgers did not perform as poorly as the Jets’ record last season suggests. They did lose multiple games as a direct result of his inability to deliver in crunch-time. These struggles, combined with his boisterous persona off the field, make him an extremely volatile option for any team in the league, regardless of their current situation.

The Aaron Rodgers era with the New York Jets appears to be coming to an end after two underwhelming seasons. He is unlikely to return to the team in 2025.

Rodgers met with new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey in New Jersey last week. He was told in that meeting that the team had decided to let him go.

Since his hiring, Glenn has been in touch with Rodgers, engaging in ongoing talks about the quarterback’s future. During his introductory press conference, he refrained from making any commitments regarding Rodgers, stating that he wanted to meet with him before deciding on the team’s direction at quarterback.

After the season Rodgers acknowledged the reality that the Jets, with a new regime in place, could look to move on at quarterback.

“Either way, I won’t be upset or offended whatever they decide to do,” he said.

During his two-year tenure with the Jets, Rodgers made 18 starts, secured six wins, and suffered an Achilles tear. His future remains uncertain, as he has stated he has yet to decide on playing a 21st season.

With one year remaining on his deal, he is set to earn a non-guaranteed $37.5 million, carrying a $23.5 million cap hit.

By cutting Rodgers with a post-Jun. 1 designation, the Jets would be left with $49 million in dead money, split over two years. They would need to carry his $23.5 million cap hit until Jun. 1, after which he would count $14 million against the cap in 2025, resulting in a net savings of $9.5 million.

With a post-June 1 designation, a $35 million cap hit would still apply in 2026. This would also be the case if he decides to retire.

The Jets are expected to target a starting-caliber quarterback this offseason, with the possibility of also selecting one in the draft.

The New York Jets announced Wednesday that they hired Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach. Glenn has been the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator since 2021, working with Dan Campbell to turn the long-struggling team into a Super Bowl contender.

Glenn’s first staff assignment in the NFL was with the Jets as a personnel scout in 2012. He went on to coach defensive backs for the Browns and Saints before accepting the job in Detroit. He has been on New York’s radar for some time, and his strong connection to the team may have had something to do with his decision to decline an interview with the Patriots earlier this month.

With Glenn headed to the Jets and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepting the head coaching job for the Chicago Bears, Campbell and the Lions will have to restructure its staff on both sides of the ball ahead of next season. 

Detroit, coming off a loss to the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, still has plenty of weapons on offense and defensive standouts returning from injury. But building back up without both coordinators will be a tall task in 2025.

As for the Jets, who are turning to yet another defensive-minded head coach, the way forward is only slightly clearer now. New York is still without a general manager, and key players like Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have not given any clear direction in terms of a return yet. If Rodgers leaves, the goal will be to form a new front office and find a quarterback to lead the team’s young talent on offense. But Glenn, like Robert Saleh before him, can only do so much beyond staff decisions and defensive schemes.

There are countless directions New York can go in for a 2025 quarterback. Expectations are so low after last season that there’s virtually no pressure to speak of. Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold are all in play. The Jets can trade up for a draft pick if they see Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward as a sure thing. If they really want, they can wait until next year and ride things out with Tyrod Taylor. 

The point is that there isn’t a single option available to them that won’t require time to pay off. This should be to Glenn’s advantage, as he should have at least two seasons in a typically hostile media environment to build something new. That has proven difficult for past coaches going back decades, and owner Woody Johnson is cemented as a common denominator in those struggles. But Glenn has the background to be effective in seemingly dreary situations, giving him some sort of chance to succeed in this Sisyphean task.