Mike McCarthy is already pushing to keep Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh for another year.
At his introductory press conference Tuesday, the Steelers’ new head coach said he’s spoken with Rodgers and voiced support for the QB returning in 2026. McCarthy — who coached Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay, including a Super Bowl run and multiple MVP campaigns — said he watched much of Pittsburgh’s season and believes Rodgers was a valuable presence for the team.
Rodgers, 42, has not yet committed to playing in 2026. After joining the Steelers this past offseason he suggested 2025 might be his final season, but following Pittsburgh’s playoff loss to the Houston Texans he indicated he didn’t want to make an emotional decision about his future right away and would take time to consider it.
McCarthy emphasized that he’ll give Rodgers space to think things over, noting that players at that stage often need time to step back and cool off after an intense season. He praised the effort and emotional investment Rodgers and the team showed and said a break can be important before deciding what comes next.
On the field, Rodgers put together a solid 2025 campaign after two difficult years in New York, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, finishing with a 94.8 passer rating while helping the Steelers go 10-7 and capture the AFC North.
Even if Rodgers returns, the Steelers’ long-term answer at quarterback remains unclear. Beyond Rodgers the roster lists veteran backup Mason Rudolph and sixth-round rookie Will Howard as the other options. McCarthy expressed enthusiasm about Pittsburgh’s young quarterbacks, specifically calling out Will Howard’s potential and saying he’s eager to work with both him and Rudolph while also having Rodgers available.
Fan take: This development matters because Aaron Rodgers’ decision will shape the Steelers’ short-term competitiveness and influence how other teams approach veteran QB signings. If Rodgers comes back with McCarthy, it could prolong a high-profile veteran-run era in Pittsburgh and affect quarterback strategies across the league.
