PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA — Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson urged the Pittsburgh Steelers to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Rich Eisen Show. Woodson made the comments as Rodgers has not ruled out a return to playing in the 2026 NFL season.

"Is he gonna play?" Woodson said. "Listen, if he's gonna play, say he's gonna play, he's gonna come back. And the team shouldn't wait for Aaron Rodgers. They need to move forward."

Woodson also said the Steelers should have selected quarterback Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft. "They should've taken Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft. He fell to them. It was the best opportunity for them to take that quarterback who has that swag, kinda fit into that Steeler mold," Woodson said.

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason and is 42 years old. He started 16 games in the previous NFL season and threw 24 touchdowns, helping the Steelers win the AFC North division title for the first time in five seasons. The Steelers lost to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Rodgers said he is not aware of any deadline for deciding whether to play in 2026. He has maintained his offseason training routine.

The 42-year-old quarterback spent the first 18 seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and two seasons with the New York Jets before signing with the Steelers. "What is it with these ex-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks that they have to be talked about all the time?" Woodson said. "'Cause Brett Favre was that way for years. Remember how we used to have to talk about Brett Favre, talk about Brett Favre."

Mike McCarthy was introduced as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in January. Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as the Steelers' head coach. McCarthy coached Rodgers when they were both with the Green Bay Packers and has been in contact with Rodgers during the offseason.

Mike McCarthy said he viewed Aaron Rodgers as a "great asset" to the team and suggested the franchise would welcome his return. Former Ohio State standout Will Howard and NFL veteran Mason Rudolph are set to return to the Steelers in 2026.

The NFL's new league year began last week, and the NFL draft is scheduled for next month.