He's comfortable either way, and the Steelers know it
In the quiet of an unsigned offseason, Aaron Rodgers plays flag football for charity while the Pittsburgh Steelers wrestle with one of the oldest tensions in professional sport — the gap between loyalty to a known quantity and the necessity of moving forward. At 42, Rodgers remains a capable quarterback by any statistical measure, yet his silence on returning has forced a franchise still searching for its post-Roethlisberger identity to look elsewhere. Kirk Cousins, released by Atlanta after a turbulent season, has emerged as the most serious alternative — a veteran answer to a question Pittsburgh cannot afford to leave unanswered much longer.
- Rodgers, still unsigned at 42, is spending his offseason at charity events rather than negotiating a return to Pittsburgh, leaving the Steelers in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
- The franchise cannot afford to wait indefinitely — the NFL Draft looms, free agency is thinning, and a team without a settled quarterback is a team without a direction.
- Kirk Cousins, cut by Atlanta after a disjointed season and a $180 million contract that never delivered, has become Pittsburgh's most viable fallback option despite his own recent struggles.
- Will Howard, the young quarterback Rodgers has been mentoring, represents hope but not readiness — potential without a single professional snap is a fragile foundation for a contending roster.
- The Steelers are navigating a three-way gamble: wait on Rodgers, invest in Cousins, or trust an unproven rookie — and each path carries consequences that will echo for years.
On a Saturday in late March, Aaron Rodgers appeared at a charity flag football game in Mission Viejo, California — co-hosting an event for his RX3 Foundation alongside Sam Darnold, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Keenan Allen. It was a pleasant afternoon, entirely disconnected from standings. But for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was a reminder that their quarterback remains unsigned and unhurried.
Rodgers, 42, had a genuinely productive season — 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 94.8 passer rating. The numbers say he can still play. Yet he has offered no commitment to returning, and in the meantime has been mentoring young quarterback Will Howard, speaking warmly about Howard's personality and long-term potential. Howard, however, has never taken an NFL snap — a significant distinction when a franchise needs answers now.
With the draft approaching and free agency advancing, Pittsburgh has begun seriously evaluating Kirk Cousins. The 37-year-old veteran was released by Atlanta in early March after a difficult season — limited by Michael Penix Jr.'s ACL injury, Cousins appeared in only a handful of games, throwing for 1,721 yards with a passer rating of 47.6. His résumé stretches back to Washington in 2012 and through six seasons in Minnesota, but recent performance has raised fair questions about what he has left.
Jimmy Garoppolo is also being considered, though Cousins appears to be the more serious pursuit. The Las Vegas Raiders have expressed interest as well, which may complicate Pittsburgh's leverage. The Steelers have already added running back Rico Dowdle to bolster the offense, but the quarterback position — unsettled since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement — remains the defining unresolved question. Whether they wait for Rodgers, sign Cousins, or develop Howard into something untested, the choice will define the franchise's trajectory for seasons to come.
Aaron Rodgers showed up at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, California on a Saturday in late March to play flag football. It was a charity event for the RX3 Foundation, which he co-founded—a nonprofit that brings together professional athletes and celebrity investors for experience-driven fundraising. He wasn't alone. Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold was there, along with Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen. It was a pleasant afternoon of football, the kind that doesn't count in any standings.
But the flag football game was also a window into a much larger uncertainty. Rodgers remains unsigned as a free agent, and the Pittsburgh Steelers—the team that brought him in last season—still don't know if he's coming back. At 42 years old, he proved he could still play at a high level. Last season he threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions, posting a passer rating of 94.8. Those are the numbers of a quarterback who can still deliver. Yet he's taking his time deciding, and the Steelers can't wait forever.
While Rodgers deliberates, the team has been mentoring Will Howard, a young quarterback Rodgers himself has been coaching up. Rodgers has spoken positively about Howard's potential, saying he has the personality and moxie for a long NFL career. But Howard hasn't taken a single snap in the league yet. That's a significant gap between potential and proven production, and it's left the Steelers in a precarious position heading into the draft and the second wave of free agency.
So the franchise has begun exploring alternatives. Head coach Mike McCarthy and the front office have done their homework on Kirk Cousins, the 37-year-old veteran who spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins was signed to a four-year, $180 million deal when he joined Atlanta in 2024, but the Falcons released him in early March. He appeared in only a handful of games last season after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL injury. In his limited time, Cousins threw for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and a passer rating of 47.6—numbers that reflect both his limited opportunity and the struggles of a team in disarray.
Cousins has been around the league since Washington drafted him in 2012. He spent six seasons there before joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, then moved to Atlanta. He's a known quantity—a veteran who has started games and won them, though his recent performance in Atlanta raised questions about whether he still had it. The Steelers are also considering Jimmy Garoppolo, but Cousins appears to be the more serious target. The Raiders have also expressed interest, which could drive up the price if Pittsburgh decides to pursue him.
The franchise has been searching for a permanent quarterback solution since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Rodgers was meant to be that answer, but his indecision has forced the team to hedge. They've already strengthened the offense by adding running back Rico Dowdle, but the quarterback question remains unresolved. As the draft approaches and free agency moves into its final phases, the Steelers face a critical choice: wait for Rodgers to decide, develop Howard into something he's never been, or commit significant resources to a veteran like Cousins who comes with his own question marks. The answer will shape the franchise's direction for years to come.
Citações Notáveis
Will Howard has the personality and moxie to have a long career in the league, and I want him to see the game the way I see it.— Aaron Rodgers, on mentoring the young quarterback
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why is Rodgers playing flag football when he's supposed to be deciding on his NFL future?
He co-founded the RX3 Foundation, so it's not just a casual game—it's his charity work. But you're right that the timing is telling. He's not in a rush, and the Steelers are getting nervous.
What does that tell us about whether he's coming back?
It suggests he's comfortable either way. He had a strong season last year, so he knows he can still play. But at 42, maybe he's also thinking about life beyond football. The flag football game is a reminder that he has other interests.
So the Steelers are panicking?
Not panicking exactly, but they're being prudent. They can't build a season around a maybe. Kirk Cousins is a real option—he's proven, he's available, and he's got experience winning games.
But Cousins just had a terrible year in Atlanta.
True. His passer rating was 47.6, which is rough. But he barely played. The Falcons were a mess. It's hard to judge a quarterback in that situation.
What about Will Howard, the young guy Rodgers has been mentoring?
He's the wild card. Rodgers clearly believes in him, and mentorship from a four-time MVP matters. But Howard hasn't thrown an NFL pass yet. That's a big leap from potential to reality.
So the Steelers are really in limbo?
Completely. They need to know soon—the draft is a month away, and free agency is moving fast. They can't afford to wait much longer for Rodgers to make up his mind.