The Pittsburgh Steelers are done waiting.

Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t decided if he wants to play in 2026. The 42-year-old free agent is weighing one last season, and while a reunion with his former head coach Mike McCarthy (who replaced Mike Tomlin this offseason) is tempting, nothing is locked in.

Steelers brass doesn’t care.

According to longtime NFL insider Matthew Berry’s “35 Most Interesting Things He Heard” from the 2026 NFL Combine, Pittsburgh already has its answer on the roster — and they’re ready to turn the page immediately.

“They want Aaron Rodgers to return and be their starter this year,” Berry reported, “but if for some reason that doesn’t happen, Pittsburgh loves Will Howard. They would more likely start Howard for the year rather than paying one of the Kyler/Geno batch of guys.”

That’s it. No drama. No free-agent circus. No overpaying for a bridge quarterback.

The Steelers drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. The former Buckeye had just won a National Championship and earned MVP honors in that title game. After one full year learning behind Rodgers, the organization now believes the kid is ready to take the wheel.

Direction officially set. Keys officially handed over.

Pittsburgh isn’t hoping anymore — they’re moving forward with their guy, whether Rodgers shows up or not.