Aaron Rodgers Delays NFL Return Amid Loved Ones’ Cancer Battles, Eyes Steelers Move

Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, still a free agent at 41, has opened up about personal challenges delaying his NFL return. In a candid conversation with Joe Rogan, Rodgers revealed that several close loved ones are battling cancer, a struggle that’s kept him away from the gridiron. "I’ve been in the weeds with these people who are close to me," he shared, explaining his focus has been on supporting them since January.

Rodgers previously hinted at these personal struggles on the Pat McAfee Show in April, noting that his attention has been pulled from football. Meanwhile, speculation swirls around his next move, with the Pittsburgh Steelers emerging as a potential landing spot after losing quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rodgers recently visited the Steelers’ facilities and met with coaches, though he hasn’t ruled out retirement.

Journalist Ian O’Connor, author of Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, believes Pittsburgh could be the "perfect place" for Rodgers to cap his career. O’Connor suggests Rodgers is likely waiting to resolve personal matters before committing, potentially aiming to join the Steelers by late May. While a Super Bowl might be a stretch, O’Connor sees a solid 11-6 season and a playoff win as within reach for a Rodgers-led Steelers team.

As Rodgers weighs his future, his resilience in the face of personal hardship underscores the human side of a football legend.