The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL for the second offseason in a row as the franchise continues to wait for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his future. Many members of the media have scrutinized the organization for allowing itself to get into this situation once again, but he is the best option for the team when it comes to a starting quarterback for the 2026 season. The organization and his former teammates seem to want him back, but the four-time league MVP is weighing the possibility of retirement while going through the 2026 offseason.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It has been reported that the organization has let Rodgers know that it would like a decision by the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, and that event kicks off on April 23rd. This would give the franchise some more clarity going into the event when it comes to building out the rest of its roster. Some players have spoken out about the situation with Rodgers and shared how they are feeling, and everyone seemed to be supportive of the quarterback while giving him space and time to make a choice. The latest to speak out on the matter was inside linebacker Patrick Queen as he was interviewed on Good Morning Football on Tuesday morning.
"Is he gonna be back?" Queen asked. "I don't know. But h*ll, I'll take him. Dude is a great teammate, great quarterback. We all know him, we all love him. He knows how to win. We just have to be better for him."
Queen was also asked about the chances that the veteran quarterback returns for the 2026 season, and he gave it a 50-50 chance. That doesn't really mean anything as the quarterback likes to keep everything close to the vest, so Queen probably doesn't have much of an idea whether Rodgers plans to come back or not.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen and TJ Watt during a road game against the Denver Broncos in the 2024 season.
Queen mentioned that the team has to be better for Rodgers, and that is absolutely true. The organization has done a good job building out the roster on the offensive side of the ball so far during the 2026 offseason, and that is going to continue throughout the NFL Draft. However, the defensive roster in Pittsburgh is already fairly impressive. It might be on the older side, but that does not excuse the lack of results that side of the ball got for the team in 2025. The defense was far too shaky and inconsistent for the amount of talent that is over there, and hopefully the new coaching staff is able to get more out of the group.
Rodgers should feel better about the weapons he has in the passing game after the organization acquired Michael Pittman Jr. via trade, but the quarterback may want to see what else the team does during the 2026 NFL Draft. The left side of the offensive line is a problem currently, and more weapons could be used on offense.
Steelers' Patrick Queen Needs To Step Up For Pittsburgh In 2026
Queen signed a three-year deal with Pittsburgh during the 2024 offseason, and he hasn't quite lived up to that contract yet. He has put together some great performances for the Steelers, but he has struggled to remain consistent. The Steelers were expecting more out of him when signing him, and that has not come yet. He is the quarterback of the defense as he wears the green dot and is responsible for a lot of the communication on that side of the ball.
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Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) lines up against the New York Jets in a game in the 2024 NFL season.
There were some teams interested in him during the 2026 offseason, but it looks like he will be sticking around during the 2026 season before hitting free agency.
What do you think about Queen's comments on the Rodgers' situation? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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