"He's Going To Try To Play": Steelers New WR Michael Pittman Jr Confident In Aaron Rodgers Returning

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some pretty impressive moves throughout the 2026 offseason as weaknesses throughout the roster have been addressed. Bringing in guys like Jamel Dean and Rico Dowdle should provide some optimism for the fan base, especially with the upgrade that has come at wide receiver. The Steelers were able to acquire Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts through a trade earlier this month, and he should fit in nicely. The acquisition came right at the start of the legal tampering period of free agency, and it has probably been Pittsburgh's biggest move of the offseason. Pundits argue that Pittsburgh won the trade by a mile, as it was a simple salary dump for the Colts.

Pittsburgh acquired Pittman from the Colts for just a late-round pick swap in the 2026 NFL Draft. The move made the fan bases of teams like the Buffalo Bills very upset, as they had just given up a second-round pick for DJ Moore. The Steelers were able to take advantage of a situation where Indianapolis had to part ways with Pittman, which is why the price was so low. He is the type of receiver that Aaron Rodgers would love, and maybe he might be a reason that the quarterback would decide to return to Pittsburgh.

Pittman joined Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show on Monday, and the two spoke about the wide receiver landing with the Steelers. He shared that he hasn't spoke with Rodgers quite yet, but he did give his insight on the situation.

"The fact that he's still out doing like flag football stuff, and all that, I think that he wants to play," Pittman said. "Just knowing Aaron prior to this, I just think that he's going to try to play for as long as he can, so, he's a beast."

Pittman has made it clear throughout his introductory press conference and other media appearances that he and Rodgers have had some sort of relationship. It sounds like they have worked out together in the offseason, as both mostly spend that time in California. That could be a draw to bring Rodgers back, and Pittman seems to think the quarterback wants to give it one more go around.

Pittman and Rodgers know each other in some way, and Pittman obviously has a ton of respect for Rodgers and his game. He mentioned in the interview that he was giving the veteran quarterback all of the space and time that he could need. He wasn't trying to rush his decision or anything like that, and the two have not spoken at all since the trade went down.

The wide receiver seemed confident in whatever quarterback plan the franchise wanted to move forward with. He is clearly hoping that Rodgers decides to come back, but he also spoke highly of Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, who are both under contract for the 2026 season. 

Steelers' Michael Pittman Jr. Is Used To Quarterback Uncertainty

Pittman has spent his entire career with the Colts, and he has had nothing but inconsistency when it comes to the quarterback position. In 2020, he played his rookie season with Philip Rivers at quarterback, and in 2021, the quarterback was Carson Wentz. Since then, the primary starters have been Gardner Minshew, Matt Ryan, Anthony Richardson, and Daniel Jones. Since being drafted, 12 different quarterbacks have started a game for the Colts, which shows that Pittman has had zero consistency at the position. Hopefully that changes at some point for the wide receiver in Pittsburgh, but it won't be in 2026 as the organization continues to search for its next franchise quarterback.

What do you think of Pittman's comments on Rodgers? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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