The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason priority will be determining who will quarterback the team, as Aaron Rodgers mulls his NFL future and prepares to hit free agency.
That said, if new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy has it his way, he would bring the 42-year-old Rodgers back to lead the team for at least one more season.
McCarthy was asked during his introductory news conference whether his best-case scenario for the 2026 season would be to have Rodgers at quarterback.
‘Definitely,’ McCarthy replied. ‘I don’t see why you wouldn’t.’
McCarthy and Rodgers have a longstanding relationship from their time together with the Green Bay Packers. The duo worked together for 13 seasons, beginning when the team hired McCarthy in 2006 – ahead of Rodgers’ second season – and ending when McCarthy was fired after the Packers posted a 4-7-1 record across the first 12 games of the 2018 NFL season.
Rodgers developed into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks under McCarthy’s tutelage, winning NFL MVP awards in 2011 and 2014. They also won Super Bowl 45 together, as Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns while earning Super Bowl MVP honors in a 31-25 victory over the Steelers.
Despite the connection, McCarthy acknowledged that no such reunion between him and his long-time quarterback is imminent.
‘I have spoken to Aaron and that’s really where we are there,’ McCarthy said.
The 62-year-old coach further communicated he was impressed by what the 21-year NFL veteran was able to accomplish during his first season with the Steelers.
‘I watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and I thought he was a great asset for the team,’ McCarthy said of Rodgers.
McCarthy understands Rodgers will want to take time to weigh his decision whether to suit up for another NFL season.
‘When guys are up at that stage in their career, they need to step away and decompress a bit,’ McCarthy explained. ‘I think that’s very important. The game is so emotional. What these men commit to and what they put into it, I think that time away is important.’
Rodgers has not yet announced a timeline for a decision about his future. The veteran quarterback did not officially sign with the Steelers until June last offseason, though Pittsburgh had always appeared likely to sign him as the saga dragged on.
Whether the Steelers will be as patient in 2026 remains to be seen. That said, McCarthy expressed confidence in the two quarterbacks currently slated to be on Pittsburgh’s 90-man offseason roster – veteran Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard.
‘It would be great to have Aaron back, but Will and Mason – I’m really excited to get started with those guys,’ McCarthy said.
McCarthy’s confidence in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room could allow the Steelers to slow-play the Rodgers situation and simply roll with what they have if the 42-year-old veteran decides to call it a career.