Art Rooney may have to suddenly eat his own words after a new development between Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have wanted Aaron Rodgers back since the season ended, yet he still hasn’t returned. In light of some recent comments from Art Rooney, the Steelers may have to think long and hard about what they do in the NFL Draft.
The saying is, time is a flat circle. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 offseason thus far has proven exactly that. A year after they waited all offseason for Aaron Rodgers, 2026 was supposed to be different.
Art Rooney said throughout the offseason that the team wanted Aaron Rodgers back and that while they would be willing to wait, it wouldn’t be as long as last year. Well, we haven’t reached June to be fair (when Rodgers signed last year), but nearly all of the hallmark offseason dates have passed or are approaching, and there’s still silence on Rodgers’ end. The Steelers started voluntary minicamp on Monday, and there was still no sign of Rodgers, leaving you to wonder if Art Rooney and the Steelers brass will have a change of heart come Thursday.
Will the Steelers consider Ty Simpson in round one if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t sign before the NFL Draft?
“When I talked to him and Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year [to make a decision],” said Rooney. “I’m not 100% sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.”
“I still expect that,” Rooney told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the league owners’ meetings a few weeks ago. “I expect we’ll get an answer before the draft.”
Three weeks ago, covering that very quote, I wrote about the scenario where Rodgers doesn’t return to Pittsburgh before the NFL Draft and posed the possibility of Ty Simpson in round one.
Despite comments from Rooney last week about not taking a quarterback in round one, that scenario looks more plausible than ever. Will Howard is taking QB No.1 reps this week at voluntary minicamp. Behind him is Mason Rudolph, and only Rudolph.
“I think I can tell you one thing, it’s probably not going to be a quarterback,” Rooney said. “But beyond that it’s wide open. Of course, it depends on what happens in front of us. But, you know, I think it’ll be exciting to build. Interesting. A lot of interesting players in this Draft. And, I think one of the — not only our first pick, but as you probably know, we have 12 selections in this Draft. So we have an opportunity to really add some talent to the roster.”
Rodgers or not, the Steelers will be adding another passer. If that’s the case, and it’s still radio silent from Rodgers’ camp come Thursday night, Art Rooney may be forced to eat his words, and the Steelers may have no choice but to draft Ty Simpson.