Aaron Rodgers has been in touch with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, with their conversations covering both football and life beyond the game. What hasn’t come up yet, though, is Rodgers’ decision about returning for a 22nd NFL season. And with the Steelers opening their bonus minicamp today, those unresolved talks are now expected to lead to Will Howard getting QB1 reps during voluntary minicamp.

“My understanding is, Ian Rapoport and I reported this morning, that Will Howard, a sixth-round pick last year out of Ohio State, is going to take the QB1 reps,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said. “Rodgers is a really big Will Howard fan, so is McCarthy, so is the front office in Pittsburgh.”

The Steelers were expecting clarity from Rodgers before the 2026 NFL Draft. With that timeline now slipping, the team finds itself in a familiar spot, still waiting. And with Mason Rudolph and Howard as the only quarterbacks currently in the room, the shift toward Howard for QB1 reps feels like a natural next step as minicamp begins.

Howard, meanwhile, has quietly built support within the organization. The former sixth-round pick didn’t see the field in his rookie year after missing the preseason with a broken finger and spending most of the regular season on injured reserve.

Still, he stayed involved. He took on responsibilities in the quarterback room, handled prep work, and used that time to learn under Rodgers. Now heading into Year 2, that foundation seems to be paying off.

He’s drawn consistent praise across the building. General manager Omar Khan has spoken highly of him multiple times this offseason. McCarthy has even said that if he were drafting in 2025, Howard “wouldn’t be around in the fifth or sixth round. I valued him higher than that.” And most recently, offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio echoed a similar sentiment.

“I’ve really enjoyed Will,” the OC said. “He’s got a great personality. He’s been impressive in the quarterback room. Obviously we haven’t gone out on the grass with him, but his ability to communicate, articulate, pick up the scheme with all the guys and Mase (Mason Rudolph), it’s been really impressive.”

The Steelers are now set to go out on the grass under McCarthy for the first time. And in Rodgers’ absence, Howard is expected to step up to his HC and OC’s optimism. As for Rodgers, there’s still no final word. And at this point, it doesn’t look like he’s aligning with Art Rooney II’s timeline.

Aaron Rodgers isn’t expected to decide on his return before the draft

At the annual league meeting in Phoenix, Art Rooney II made it clear that he was expecting an official word from Aaron Rodgers about his return before the 2026 NFL Draft. That timeline, however, now looks uncertain, with reports suggesting Rodgers may take a few more weeks to decide. Per Tom Pelissero:

“Aaron Rodgers would commit prior to the start of OTAs, which are still several weeks away. Those begin in mid-May, thinking a little more than he did last year when he didn’t show up until the mandatory minicamp. But nothing’s final from either side.

“You’re absolutely right that things all along, as we’ve reported, have seemed like they’re leaning toward Aaron Rodgers coming back. But this is Aaron Rodgers, only he ultimately knows what’s going on between his ears. It may still be a few more weeks until we know for sure what his plans are for 2026.

The Steelers aren’t new to this situation. Before signing Rodgers last year, they waited until June for his decision. Whether that timeline repeats or shifts this time remains unclear. Rooney was hoping for clarity before the draft, but the latest expectation points closer to mid-May. And with the draft now around the corner, the question remains the same: whether Rodgers returns for a 22nd season or leans toward retirement.

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