The Pittsburgh Steelers have not closed the door on Aaron Rodgers, but the franchise appears equally focused on its younger quarterbacks. On May 13, Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressed the Rodgers situation during an appearance on the "Deebo and Joe Podcast." While fans await Rodgers' decision, Khan made it clear that the team values the work happening in minicamp with Drew Allar and Will Howard.
Omar Khan on Young QB Development and Rodgers Talks
Omar Khan did not sound rushed about the Aaron Rodgers situation. Instead, he pointed to the importance of offseason reps for younger players, especially with Mike McCarthy now leading the team after Mike Tomlin's exit earlier this year. During the podcast, Khan explained why this part of the offseason matters: "We've had communications with him and his agent, but the one thing I'll say is this time of year, it's great for these young guys."
He also highlighted that the new coaching staff wants time with the roster before making a major quarterback decision. "The time that they're spending getting to know each other and allowing our coaches to develop and grow not just the quarterbacks, but all these guys, it's very precious," Khan added. This message revealed where the Steelers stand: they still respect what Rodgers brings, but they also want Allar and Howard to grow naturally through camp.
Aaron Rodgers' 2025 Season and Steelers' New Era
Aaron Rodgers played the 2025 season in Pittsburgh, helping the Steelers reach the playoffs with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 16 games. However, the season ended badly after a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. Soon after, Mike Tomlin stepped away, ushering in a new era under McCarthy.
Now the Steelers sit in an unusual spot. Rodgers remains available, yet Pittsburgh already has two young quarterbacks taking meaningful reps before the 2026 season. Khan's comments are important: he never ruled out a return by Rodgers, but he openly backed the development of Allar and Howard. Right now, the Steelers appear comfortable waiting while their young quarterbacks continue getting valuable field time.
