Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is convinced that Aaron Rodgers will be back under center for the black and gold in 2026\u2014and he\u2019s not mincing words about it.<\/p>\n
![\"Roethlisberger](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2253826399_76a3e9-e1773837386830.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780\")
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last offseason amid speculation that it would be his final NFL chapter. Despite the uncertainty, the future Hall of Famer delivered a solid season, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions while leading the Steelers\u2019 offense. Now a free agent once again, Rodgers has been heavily linked to a return to Pittsburgh, though no official decision has been announced.<\/p>\n
On his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger made his stance crystal clear: he fully expects Rodgers to re-sign.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is Aaron not coming back when you have those kinds of weapons? Like, what are we doing?\u201d Roethlisberger said. \u201cThere\u2019s no way he\u2019s not coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Big Ben is bullish on Rodgers returning, he\u2019s growing impatient with the prolonged uncertainty. He urged the four-time NFL MVP to end the suspense and make a definitive call.<\/p>\n
\u201cAaron, just let us know, man,\u201d Roethlisberger added. \u201cYou can just say, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m coming back.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers has repeatedly stated he\u2019s in no rush to decide. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, he emphasized that no deadline has been set and no contract offer has been formally presented.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been no deadline that\u2019s been put in front of me,\u201d Rodgers told McAfee. \u201cThere\u2019s no contract offer or anything, so there\u2019s nothing that I\u2019m having to debate between. I\u2019m a free agent. \u2026 I\u2019m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the off-season, and I think there\u2019s conversations to be had down the line, but right now, there hasn\u2019t been any progressive conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers noted that he has maintained contact with head coach Mike Tomlin (whom he referred to as Mike McCarthy in the quote, likely a slip) and general manager Omar Khan, and he believes both sides enjoyed the previous season together. Still, he confirmed there has been no urgency or firm offer on the table.<\/p>\n
The Steelers, meanwhile, appear to be banking on Rodgers\u2019 return. Pittsburgh has made no significant moves at the quarterback position this offseason and recently acquired star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade, further bolstering an already talented receiving corps that includes George Pickens and others.<\/p>\n
Before free agency opened, Steelers GM Omar Khan expressed hope that Rodgers\u2019 decision would come faster than last year\u2019s drawn-out process.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really want to say it has to be done by then,\u201d Khan said. \u201cWould like to have an idea, but it just isn\u2019t going to go like it did last year. \u2026 I think the circumstances are a little different, just conversations we had. I think neither side wants to have this drag on like it did last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the lack of a signed deal or public announcement, the combination of Rodgers\u2019 strong 2025 performance, Pittsburgh\u2019s roster moves, and Roethlisberger\u2019s confident prediction all point in one direction: Aaron Rodgers is likely headed back to the Steelers for another season. The only question that remains is when he\u2019ll finally make it official.<\/p>\n
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is convinced that Aaron Rodgers will be back under center for the black and gold in 2026\u2014and he\u2019s not mincing words… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":167068,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-167066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n