The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new era - and it’s starting to look a lot like Green Bay West.
With Mike McCarthy now at the helm in Pittsburgh, the veteran head coach isn’t wasting time assembling a staff that feels like a blast from his Packers past. Three of McCarthy’s former Green Bay assistants - Patrick Graham, Jason Simmons, and James Campen - are already on board. And now, former Packers quarterback-turned-coach Scott Tolzien is in the mix, interviewing for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator job.
That’s not just a coaching reunion - that’s the kind of setup that practically begs the question: is Aaron Rodgers next?
McCarthy didn’t shy away from the topic this week, saying he “definitely” wants Rodgers back. And based on the moves he’s made so far, it’s clear he’s setting the table for that possibility. Whether it’s strategic or just a matter of comfort, McCarthy is surrounding himself with familiar faces - and ones Rodgers knows well.
Let’s start with James Campen. He coached Green Bay’s offensive line from 2007 to 2018, a stretch during which the Packers consistently fielded one of the league’s most reliable protection units.
Rodgers, known for extending plays and thriving outside the pocket, benefited from that stability up front. Now, Campen is set to reprise that role in Pittsburgh, bringing his O-line expertise to a Steelers unit that’s been searching for consistency.
Adding to that, Pittsburgh is expected to bring in 2026 Hall of Fame finalist Jahri Evans as an assistant offensive line coach. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, spent the final season of his career in Green Bay in 2017 - one more tie to Rodgers’ time there. While Evans’ coaching resume is still in its early stages, his presence could provide both mentorship and another layer of familiarity.
Then there’s Jason Simmons, who spent nearly a decade in Green Bay (2011-2019) in a variety of roles, primarily working with the secondary. While Pittsburgh has retained Gerald Alexander as its defensive backs coach, Simmons’ addition gives McCarthy another trusted voice - and one who knows how to coach in his system.
Patrick Graham’s connection to McCarthy is a little more fleeting - he spent just one season in Green Bay in 2018 - but he’s still part of the extended Packers coaching tree. That year, he served as the inside linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator, and while his time there was brief, it adds another familiar presence to the mix.
And then there’s Scott Tolzien, the former backup QB who shared a room - and a strong bond - with Rodgers for three seasons in Green Bay. Back in 2016, reports described Tolzien as “more BFF than backup,” and that dynamic could play a key role if he ends up calling plays in Pittsburgh. Their rapport could be a major selling point if Rodgers is weighing where - or even whether - to play in 2026.
Rodgers’ future has been murky since longtime Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down. At 43, Rodgers is at a career crossroads: retirement, a new team, or a return to the field in a new environment that feels a lot like home. With McCarthy and company building a Green Bay-style infrastructure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are quickly becoming a natural landing spot if Rodgers decides to run it back one more time.
Nothing’s official yet, but the writing’s on the wall. McCarthy’s building something familiar in Pittsburgh - and if Rodgers wants a reunion tour, the stage is being set.