What happened: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on The Insiders that Aaron Rodgers' likely return to the Steelers puts Pittsburgh in position to improve upon last season. Rodgers is expected to visit Pittsburgh over the weekend to work toward a deal for the 2026 season. The signal aligns with prior reporting that a signing this weekend is anticipated.

Why it matters: Rodgers would give Pittsburgh a veteran starter and stabilize a quarterback room that has been the franchise's central question all offseason. The move would reshape the AFC North quarterback picture and feed into draft-and-roster decisions already made, including the Steelers' Allar draft pick weighed against a Rodgers pursuit. It also closes a storyline that has lingered since Rodgers' Pittsburgh visit a year ago.

What to watch: Watch for Rodgers' weekend visit to Pittsburgh and any contract terms that follow. A formal signing announcement would confirm the 2026 starter and trigger depth-chart and offseason program implications.