Aaron Rodgers May Have Delayed Steelers Signing for 2026 Schedule Edge

9 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 18

Mike Florio said Aaron Rodgers may have waited until after the NFL released its 2026 schedule before committing to Pittsburgh, timing the move just ahead of Phase 3 OTAs on May 18.
Florio argued the league itself indicated the timing mattered: if it had known Rodgers would be with the Steelers, Week 1 Steelers-Jets likely would have been scheduled in prime time.
That theory fits a possible motive for Pittsburgh, which lost its first 3 prime-time games in 2025 and may have preferred fewer marquee slots this season.
Rodgers also signed after the schedule release in 2025, though the Steelers still drew difficult spotlight games, including a Week 8 Sunday Night Football matchup with Green Bay.
Neither Rodgers nor the Steelers has said the delay was strategic, leaving the scheduling angle as informed speculation about how star moves can shape the NFL calendar.

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