Steelers patience for Aaron Rodgers could ‘wear thin’ after new deadline

Dec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers and new head coach Mike McCarthy are still awaiting veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ decision on whether he’ll be returning to play another season or retire.

Many fans have become frustrated with the franchise’s patience for Rodgers and his decision-making process, allowing him to decide on his own timeline and terms. Now, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that patience is now on the verge of “wearing thin.”

“If Rodgers hasn’t given them a decision by the start of organized team activities on May 18…their patience will start to turn into frustration, and maybe something more,” Dulac reported.

It’s worth noting that the Steelers and Rodgers have been in contact throughout the offseason.

“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Steelers owner and president Art Rooney revealed last week, per ESPN. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans. And even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”

Rooney’s comments came after Pittsburgh used the seldom-used UFA tender on him, ensuring the franchise would receive a compensatory pick if Rodgers returned to the league but signed with a different team.

“The main thing that the tender gives us is potential for a comp pick if Aaron would choose to go to another team,” Rooney II said in an interview on NFL Network. “We don’t expect that, but by the same token, you never know. And it’s just something that we had an opportunity to protect if needed.