Are the Steelers setting a countdown for Aaron Rodgers after drafting Will Howard?

As the 2025 NFL season looms closer, the Pittsburgh Steelers are still holding out hope that veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers will choose to don the black and gold. But with training camp on the horizon and no official word from the four-time MVP, the clock is ticking—and Mike Tomlin’s patience, while commendable, may soon be tested.

Drafting Will Howard may signal Steelers’ hidden timeline for Aaron Rodgers decision

Aaron Rodgers, who parted ways with the New York Jets after a turbulent stint marred by injury, has been a clear priority for the Steelers this offseason. Despite their public restraint, Pittsburgh’s front office has quietly kept a contract offer on the table since March, waiting for Rodgers to make his move. However, without a signature, the offer remains nothing more than a gesture.


Meanwhile, the Steelers haven’t stood still. They’ve re-signed Mason Rudolph and drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round. But there’s a clear sense that these moves are contingency plans, not first choices. As of now, Rudolph is the presumed starter, yet the team's strategy still hinges on whether Rodgers will return to the field.

Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, pinpointed May 27—the start of Phase 3 of the NFL offseason program—as a potential inflection point for Rodgers’ decision. “Phase 3 I think is really important. So for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe that’s May 27th,” Hasselbeck explained. “It would really be detrimental to be starting the missing time at that point.”

While the Steelers haven’t confirmed any hard deadline, that date looms large. Phase 3 is when true football activity ramps up, and any absence past that point could hinder team chemistry, especially with a high-profile quarterback at the helm.

Still, Rodgers remains noncommittal. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show last month, the 40-year-old opened up about his personal challenges, leaving his professional future ambiguous. “I’m open to anything and attached to nothing,” Rodgers said. “I have a couple people in my inner, inner circle who are battling some difficult stuff… Retirement still could be a possibility, but right now my focus is and has been and will continue to be on my personal life.”

It’s a statement that underscores the emotional and mental factors influencing Rodgers’ decision—elements that are often overlooked in the business-heavy NFL landscape. He’s made it clear to the Steelers that conversations are ongoing and have remained transparent, but clarity remains elusive.

While Rodgers weighs his options, Will Howard, the young quarterback drafted at No. 185, is already making waves. A national champion with Ohio State, Howard has shown early signs of leadership and determination, hoping to prove himself despite his low draft position. He enters a quarterback room also featuring Skylar Thompson, but it’s his competitive spirit that’s catching Tomlin’s attention.

As the NFL calendar moves steadily toward a critical offseason milestone, all eyes remain on Aaron Rodgers. Whether he becomes the next chapter in Pittsburgh’s storied quarterback legacy—or leaves them to move forward without him—could all come down to what happens in the days leading up to May 27.

Also Read: Taylor Swift’s legal feud with Blake Lively reportedly destroyed Travis Kelce and Ryan Reynolds’ bromance