Why hasn’t Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers yet? What’s really delaying the deal

It’s been expected for weeks that Aaron Rodgers is likely headed back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. So...why isn’t it done yet?

With Rodgers now expected to visit Pittsburgh this weekend, the situation is once again picking up momentum. But even as optimism builds internally, there is still no agreement in place, and that lingering uncertainty is starting to raise real questions.

What is the holdup with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers?

From the Steelers’ perspective, there’s been little public panic. Team president Art Rooney II has repeatedly expressed confidence that Rodgers will be the team’s quarterback in 2026. Behind the scenes, general manager Omar Khan has described talks as “positive,” while head coach Mike McCarthy has made it clear the organization isn’t rushing the timeline.

That patience, however, is exactly what makes the whole thing feel strange. It’s déjà vu from last season. The Steelers initially hoped for clarity before the NFL Draft. That deadline came and went. Now, as offseason programs ramp up, the team is still waiting, and Rodgers remains unsigned.

Rodgers, who will turn 43 during the 2026 season, still holds considerable leverage despite his age.

The Steelers applied the rarely used unrestricted free agent tender, a move that gives them exclusive negotiating rights later in the offseason and the possibility of a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere. If Rodgers were to accept the tender, he’d earn roughly $15 million, a modest raise from last season’s deal.

But the structure of that tender also creates flexibility for Rodgers. Now, he doesn’t have to rush. Whether he’s weighing financial terms, roster construction, or simply taking his time with a major career decision, the timeline appears to be largely in his control.

A return to Pittsburgh would reunite Rodgers with Mike McCarthy, his longtime head coach during their run with the Green Bay Packers. Together, they won a Super Bowl and built one of the league’s most consistent quarterback-coach partnerships.

But history alone doesn’t finalize contracts, especially when both sides understand the stakes. For now, the Steelers are comfortable playing the long game. But the longer this drags on, the more complicated it becomes.

Without a firm commitment from Rodgers, Pittsburgh is left managing uncertainty at quarterback deep into the offseason. That impacts everything from roster planning to reps in minicamp and training camp. It also begs the question, how long can the Steelers afford to wait? At some point, even a likely outcome needs to become a definitive one.

Rodgers’ expected visit this weekend could be the clearest sign yet that a resolution is near. Face-to-face meetings often accelerate deals, especially when both sides already have a strong foundation. Still, until pen is put to paper, the situation remains open.

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