For the first time this offseason, Aaron Rodgers has given fans a compelling hint about his potential return to the NFL this year. The four-time MVP has previously acknowledged that retirement could be a consideration, but recent comments suggest he’s gearing up for the 2025 season—and he may have his sights set on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During an engaging exchange on the YNK podcast with Mike Stud, a young fan posed the question about Rodgers potentially playing for the Chicago Bears this season. His response was both intriguing and telling. “No, but I believe there’s a team that might play in Chicago this year, for a road trip,” he said, clearly referring to a team with plans to visit the Windy City.
When pressed about which team he was hinting at, Rodgers played coy, stating, “I don’t know, I’m not sure, I’m going to check it out,” with a smirk that seemed to hint at something deeper. The takeaway here? While Rodgers won’t be donning a Bears uniform, he appears interested in playing for a team that certainly has Chicago on the schedule—Enter the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout the offseason, the Steelers have been frequently mentioned in connection with Rodgers, and it’s noteworthy that Pittsburgh has a road game against the Bears set for Week 12. This latest bit of info stands out as one of the clearest indications that Rodgers is considering a move to the Steel City.
Now, it’s worth noting that the Bears also host the New Orleans Saints in 2025, another team that could use a quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber, but the veteran didn’t mince words when discussing that particular possibility. When asked if he’d ever consider the Saints, the answer was straightforward: “No. That’s the answer. I’ve played there a couple times, but no.” With that definitive response, New Orleans seems to be off the table.
The Bears will also host the Minnesota Vikings, but it appears that the Vikings have ruled themselves out after expressing confidence in J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. Chicago is even slated to face the Cleveland Browns that same year. However, with the Browns drafting two quarterbacks this offseason, including Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, it’s hard to envision Rodgers landing in Cleveland with all the competition already in the fold.
What this all boils down to is that the Steelers seem to be feeling increasingly optimistic about their odds of landing the legendary quarterback given his recent comments. In a particularly revealing moment during the podcast, when asked if he might “go to the Steelers,” Rodgers offered a tantalizing, “You never know.” This is particularly fascinating, especially when you consider he shot down the idea of joining the Saints with an unequivocal “NO.”
Adding more fuel to speculation, Rodgers casually mentioned a game against the Vikings—who are set to play the Steelers in Dublin during Week 4—when a fan expressed excitement about his visit to U.S. Bank Stadium. “That game is in Ireland, by the way,” he informed, showcasing not only his awareness of the Steelers’ schedule but also his ability to steer the conversation toward the possibility of Pittsburgh in a manner that seems intentional.
In April, Rodgers had shared his indecision regarding his football future, indicating he wanted to prioritize personal matters before making a definitive choice. “I’m open to anything and attached to nothing,” he said. Recently, he’s hinted that his attention has been drawn to personal situations, including friends grappling with health challenges, which may explain his focus away from the gridiron for the time being.
For the Steelers, it looks like they’ve got their eyes firmly fixed on the future. At the NFL spring league meeting, owner Art Rooney II expressed a patient yet hopeful stance on the possibility of acquiring Rodgers, stating that his team would wait it out. “A little while longer,” he noted, echoing the sentiment that all eyes are on this potential game-changer for the season ahead.
As the days unfold, it remains a waiting game, but the whispers of Rodgers heading to Pittsburgh are growing louder, and it just might be the narrative NFL fans are eager to follow.
