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DeutschThe Aaron Rodgers waiting game is back for another season.
Rodgers took months to make a decision about whether he would play in 2025, taking fans on a wild ride that was filled with countless debates and media attention. The quarterback appears primed for an encore performance.
The four-time NFL MVP joined "The Pat McAfee Show" on March 4, but Rodgers shut down any discussion about whether he would play in 2026.
"Anybody on here who's expecting me to make some big decision, just turn it off now," Rodgers said.
He went on to discuss his contract situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the start of free agency looms on March 9, when the legal tampering period opens.
“There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between," Rodgers added. "I’m a free agent. I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason. I think there’s conversations to be had down the line, but right now there hasn’t been any progressive conversations."
Rodgers pointed out that he has spoken with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan, but there is no deadline from the team at this time.
“There hasn’t been any deadline set on me, there hasn’t been any contract floated in front of me. … Interested in what the conversations will be, but there hasn’t been any progression when it comes to that.”
Given Rodgers' history, there is no indication of what a timeline looks like for his decision about 2026. The New York Jets announced they would be moving on from the quarterback on Feb. 13, 2025. Rodgers didn't sign with the Steelers until June 5, 2025, following plenty of appearances on McAfee's show.
There has been a changing of the guard in Pittsburgh after Mike Tomlin announced he would be stepping down as head coach after 19 seasons. The Steelers opted to hire Pittsburgh-native and former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach, Mike McCarthy to replace Tomlin.
That allowed the Rodgers' debates to intensify, given his time with McCarthy in Green Bay.
There was previously an expectation that the Super Bowl-winning quarterback would retire after the 2025 season, especially since he indicated that he was "pretty sure" it would be.
"I'm pretty sure this is it (my last season)," Rodgers said on June 24, 2025. "That's why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything. This was really about finishing with love and fun and peace for the career that I've had. I played 20 freaking years. It's been a long run and I've enjoyed it. What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL?"
Following a wild-card round loss to the Houston Texans, that tune shifted.
"I'm not gonna make any emotional decisions," Rodgers said after the game. "Disappointed, you know, obviously, such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, being a part of this team. So it's disappointing to be sitting here."
Rodgers has spoken glowingly of his time with the Steelers and the door hasn't been shut yet. It remains to be seen if the Steelers will be as patient this time around, however.
Free agent quarterbacks could come off the market quickly and with no clear answer in the 2026 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh could be left without any other options if Rodgers strings them along too long.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Aaron Rodgers play in 2026? QB details status on Pat McAfee Show