Specific Steelers Player Frustrated With The Potential Return Of Aaron Rodgers At Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently pondering what to do at the quarterback position during the 2026 season. The only quarterbacks currently on the roster for 2026 are Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, and many fans want to see Howard get an opportunity. There is also a chance that Aaron Rodgers could return for another season in Pittsburgh if he does not decide to retire. His connection with new head coach Mike McCarthy makes it seem like there is a decent possibility that he could be donning the black and gold once again, although that might not make everyone in Pittsburgh happy.

McCarthy and Rodgers have won a Super Bowl together, and some of the best and most formative years of the quarterback's career came under McCarthy. The two could reunite in 2026, which is something that McCarty has already said he would be open to during his introductory press conference. The fan base seems split on wanting the veteran quarterback back, and the same can be said of the current roster. Many players want the four-time league MVP to return, but that is not the case for young wide receiver Roman Wilson according to Mark Kaboly during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. 

"What I've may or may not have heard is Roman Wilson might not be very happy that Aaron Rodgers is coming back," Kaboly said. "I mean I didn't hear this from Roman Wilson, but I think we can put one and one together and get two."

Wilson just completed his second season in the NFL, but it was only his first season where he was actually available to play a healthy amount. He essentially redshirted his rookie season in 2024, and he was expected to be a decent contributor in 2025. That did not happen as he only really got extensive looks in garbage time of games, and he was even a healthy scratch towards the end of the year.

Rodgers needs to be extremely confident in his wide receivers, and he was just never able to get there with Wilson. This is likely a component of what kept Wilson off of the field despite the fact that the Steelers were hurting at the wide receiver position. Pittsburgh brought in veterans late in the year like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen instead of playing Wilson, which is something many fans were upset about. The Steelers have not necessarily prioritized the development of younger players at all over the last several seasons by refusing to play them extensively, and Wilson's situation in 2025 is proof of that.

Wilson finished his second season with just 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He made several plays for Pittsburgh, but he was still banished from the field for what felt like most of the season. It makes complete sense why he wouldn't want Rodgers to come back. He is a young player trying to further his career, and the veteran QB makes it difficult to do that.

Steelers Run A Major Risk Drafting A Wide Receiver High If Aaron Rodgers Returns

Rodgers is demanding of his wide receivers, and the situation with Wilson is a perfect example of that. Pittsburgh is more than likely going to select a wide receiver high in the 2026 NFL Draft due to the fact that it is a weakness on the roster and McCarthy is an offensive-minded head coach. That will be a risk if Rodgers is returning. It could end up being a waste of a pick. If Rodgers doesn't like the way a first-round wide receiver operates or runs certain routes, it'll be hard for him to see the field during his rookie season.

Maybe there is a reason the Packers didn't draft a first-round wide receiver throughout Rodgers' tenure.

What do you think about Wilson's possible concerns with Rodgers potentially returning? Let us know in the comments below!

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