
Seahawks keen to trade down, even within division
Seattle Seahawks are open to trading down in the NFL draft, even with division rivals.
Aaron Rodgers continues to dominate headlines with his indecision about playing in 2026, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers in a difficult position ahead of the NFL draft. The Steelers share some responsibility for the ongoing drama surrounding Rodgers.
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Easy as it is to fault Aaron Rodgers for the most insufferable soap opera in NFL history, the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve equal billing in the latest episode.
Rodgers is never going to act in someone elseâs best interest, and heâs always going to find a way to stay in the spotlight. This offseason is no different. Having already left the Steelers in limbo during free agency over his intentions to either play in 2026 or retire, he seems set to do it again for this weekâs NFL draft.
No big deal. Itâs just the most important position on Pittsburghâs roster, and every personnel move the Steelers make or, in this case donât make, is amplified because theyâre hosting this yearâs draft.
Itâs vintage Rodgers, as predictable as it is tiresome.
But the Steelers are not helpless here. They could have called Rodgersâ bluff weeks ago and given him a deadline. They could have pursued Kirk Cousins or Kyler Murray in free agency. Heck, they could have set the tone with Rodgers by showing some backbone last season, when he hemmed and hawed for months until finally signing a contract in June.
Instead, theyâre letting Rodgers do what he does. Control the narrative regardless of the impact on anyone else.
âI think a decision is coming soon,â Steelers owner Art Rooney II told ESPNâs Brooke Pryor at the NFLâs annual meeting last month. âI would say by the draft I would expect an answer."
Aaron Rodgers is creating controversy by not clarifying his intentions about playing in 2026, which leaves the Steelers uncertain about their roster decisions.
Rodgers' indecision complicates the Steelers' draft plans as they need to make critical personnel decisions without knowing if he will play.
The Steelers share blame for the ongoing speculation about Rodgers, as their lack of decisive action has allowed the drama to continue.
Hosting the NFL draft amplifies the pressure on the Steelers to make informed decisions about their roster, particularly regarding the quarterback position.

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Yet here we are.
It is, of course, Rodgersâ prerogative to take the time he needs to make his decision. Sit with his feelings, have his chakras read, whatever it is he does that gives him clarity. Or maybe, similar to last year, he and the Steelers have an understanding and heâll re-sign when those annoying offseason workouts are over.
That wouldnât be a surprise, given Rodgers' history with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy was Rodgersâ first NFL coach, and the two won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay.
âI have not talked to (Rodgers),â Rooney said at the annual meeting. â(McCarthy) has been in contact with him pretty regularly."
But nothing is ever done until itâs actually done, and weâre not talking about the backup kicker here.
If Rodgers doesnât re-up, Pittsburghâs choices are to hope Will Howard turns out to be as good as a certain other sixth-round QB from a Big Ten school or hope Mason Rudolph turns out to be more than a career backup.
Not great options, either one of them.
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
1 / 10
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1 / 10
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2 / 10
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
3 / 10
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
4 / 10
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
5 / 10
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
6 / 10
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
7 / 10
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
8 / 10
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
9 / 10
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
10 / 10
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
And say Rodgers does decide he wants to play this season. Apologies to Steelers fans, but heâs not going to pull off a Tom Brady and take Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl.
Rodgers is still a better QB than many, and his mind and experience was enough to overcome his physical limitations last year and get the Steelers to the playoffs. Pittsburgh also could do worse than having Howard learn behind Rodgers for a second year.
But at 42, the four-time MVPâs best years are behind him. Rodgers doesnât have the mobility that once made him so dangerous, and his stats last year were good, not great. His last throw in Pittsburghâs loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card game was an interception.
Even if Rodgers takes the Steelers to the playoffs again, then what? Another offseason of âwill he or wonât heâ? Another season of kicking the proverbial can down the road?
At best, Rodgers is a Band-Aid. Just as Russell Wilson was intended to be.
The Steelers should have done what Rodgersâ old team did: Draft their franchise QBâs replacement while they still had him. But they didnât do that. So here they sit, willing hostages to the whims of an aging quarterback.
It's a circus, and the Steelers were happy to pay the admission.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pittsburgh Steelers willing hostages in Aaron Rodgers drama