It wasn’t a red carpet or a press conference—just a quick flash of a ring on a left hand during Derby weekend. But for a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, even that’s enough to set the internet ablaze. He’d already told the world weeks earlier he was in “a serious relationship,” and now, with one image and four fingers worth of speculation, the question became unavoidable: Did Aaron Rodgers get married?

Back in April, Rodgers casually revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that he’s “in a serious relationship.” It came during one of his more introspective appearances, where he opened up about being 41, reflecting on life after injury, and contemplating retirement. “I’m in a different phase of my life,” he said. “I have personal commitments I’ve made that are important to me.”

Fast forward to the Kentucky Derby, and that introspection took on a new layer when Rodgers was spotted with a band on his left ring finger. Naturally, Pat McAfee didn’t let it slide. “Looked like a wedding ring,” McAfee teased on his Monday show. “Maybe somebody got engaged to him! Maybe they flipped the script… ‘Aaron, will you take this ring and be with me forever?’” It was classic McAfee: stirring the pot, fueling speculation—but also asking what many were thinking. Is Aaron Rodgers married?

His longtime friend and Derby weekend attendee, A.J. Hawk, didn’t offer a straight answer either. “It was not a wedding party from what we knew,” Hawk said. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know. I don’t know if I have any answers for you when it comes to that.” Still, Hawk emphasized that Rodgers looked happy and healthy, both physically and mentally. As he put it, “Not a lot of clarity on this situation, I’m not going to lie.”

For a player whose past relationships—most notably with Shailene Woodley and Danica Patrick—have been tabloid fuel, Rodgers has shifted his approach. He quietly mentioned his girlfriend, Brittani, once on McAfee’s show around Christmas, and referenced her again last month while explaining why he hadn’t signed with a team. “I have personal commitments I’ve made… people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff,” he said. Whether it’s a wedding, a promise ring, or something in between, Rodgers appears determined to keep this part of his life off the radar. And after his breakup with Woodley—who later referred to the relationship as toxic—his decision to stay quiet seems intentional.

As for the marriage rumors? A Daily Mail source claimed Rodgers has expressed a desire to marry Brittani and start a family after his football career ends. However, the same source inaccurately linked him to the Vikings—a team Rodgers has publicly denied any interest in—so the claims remain unconfirmed.

Aaron Rodgers and Steelers are ‘almost’ in agreement

Now, for the football part—the part that still isn’t officially official but increasingly feels inevitable. Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers? According to multiple reports, it’s close. Not done. Not signed. But close—as in “handshake behind the curtain” close.

Let’s start with why. Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports reported that Rodgers made it clear to interested teams that he wouldn’t rush into a deal due to personal matters involving someone close to him. He reportedly told teams they could move on without hard feelings if they couldn’t wait—yet the Steelers have waited. Even after drafting Will Howard and re-signing Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh has left the door open. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the team still sees Rodgers as the preferred option and is holding space accordingly.

On The Herd, Matt Hasselbeck pointed to May 27—the start of Phase 3 of the NFL offseason—as a soft deadline. “I would circle that May 27th date… it would really be detrimental to be missing time at that point.” Behind the scenes, that’s reportedly the window the Steelers are working with. A quiet agreement appears to be in place. Fowler noted, “Rodgers is dealing with some personal issues, and after that will join the team.”

Another breadcrumb: the sudden disappearance of George Pickens trade rumors. Some insiders suspect it’s part of the Steelers’ strategy to make the wide receiver room as attractive as possible for Rodgers. Coincidence? Maybe. But this is the NFL—coincidences rarely come without strategy. At this point, it’s not if Rodgers joins the Steelers. It’s when. And with May 27 just around the corner, the answer may be coming soon.