Is It Actually in the Steelers’ Best Interests to Bring Aaron Rodgers Back?

The smoke coming out of Pittsburgh is black and gold. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Aaron Rodgers is set to visit the Steelers this weekend and will likely play for them in 2026. On the show, that report turned into a real disagreement about whether the Steelers should want it.

This year's version of the saga at least looks different. Last year Rodgers did not turn up until June, and when he did, he snuck in the back in a rental truck. This time it is May, and the plan is the front door.

The $15 million unrestricted free agent tender, Rapoport noted, is a placeholder. Nobody expects Rodgers to play for that number, which is why a real deal still has to be finalized.

Chris drew the hard line against the move.

"I don't think the Steelers should be doing that," he said. His argument was structural. The worst place to be in the NFL is the middle, not bad enough to land a high pick and reload, not good enough to contend.

"You want to be at the bottom so you can get a high draft pick and reload," Chris said. "Or you want to be at the top because that means you are a contender. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been none of those things. Relying on a 42-year-old guy to make up his mind. This is an awful place to be."

Rich took the other side, and he led with a concession.

"The Steelers are not winning the Super Bowl this year," he said. "They're not."

His case was about development, not a title. Rodgers gives Mike McCarthy a year to bring along Will Howard and Drew Allar without throwing either rookie onto the field before he is ready. McCarthy, Rich pointed out, has a track record of developing quarterbacks and improving offenses. The alternative is a Week 1 start for Mason Rudolph, which Rich framed as a path Steelers fans have already traveled.

Rich also liked the roster around the quarterback. He praised the Steelers' draft, particularly the work on the offensive line, and argued that the receiving group is better than last year's.

"Pittman plus DK Metcalf is better than what they had last year," Rich said, contrasting it with a 2025 offense that leaned heavily on Metcalf and Kenneth Gainwell before Metcalf's late-season incident with a fan in Detroit.

There was also a story from Cam Heyward's draft party, which the cast attended. When the Rams took Ty Simpson 13th overall, rookie Will Howard celebrated, because Simpson had been linked to a Steelers pick. Howard jumping up and down meant his own roster spot looked secure.

Rich closed by framing the Rodgers question as one the Steelers will eventually have to answer no matter what.

"Wouldn't you rather do that now than in '27?" he said. "You're going to have to do this at some point."

He acknowledged the room would side with Chris. He also acknowledged the last word belongs to Rodgers.

"It's not over until he shows up on Pat's show," Rich said.