Mike McCarthy Still Believes in Aaron Rodgers’ Arm - Even at 70
Mike McCarthy is back in the AFC North as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he’s already making headlines - not just for his new gig, but for the faith he still has in a familiar face: Aaron Rodgers.
McCarthy and Rodgers go way back - 13 years together in Green Bay, where they built one of the most productive quarterback-coach partnerships of the modern NFL era. And now, even with Rodgers approaching his 22nd NFL season, McCarthy isn’t backing off his belief that the veteran QB still has plenty left in the tank - and then some.
“I think, when you look at the way he’s still able to play, I mean, he’ll be able to throw the football when he’s 70 years old,” McCarthy said in a Friday morning interview on Pittsburgh’s WDVE radio. “He’s remarkably gifted in his ball placement.
Just having a chance to watch most of the games, I’m just so impressed with how he still throws it. And just having the chance to look at some practice tape, he’s still doing it every day.”
That’s not just coach-speak - McCarthy’s seen it firsthand. The two shared more than a decade of success in Green Bay, where Rodgers blossomed into a four-time NFL MVP under McCarthy’s guidance.
Their connection runs deep, and Rodgers has acknowledged as much in the past. After a 2022 win over McCarthy’s Cowboys, Rodgers said, “You can’t write the story of my career without Mike McCarthy.”
But even beyond the history and mutual respect, what’s most striking is that Rodgers is still out there throwing absolute lasers - and not just in warmups.
Take Week 7 against the Bengals. The Steelers came up short in a 33-31 shootout, but Rodgers nearly pulled off one of his signature miracles.
With seconds left, he uncorked a Hail Mary that traveled a jaw-dropping 69.8 yards through the air - the longest recorded pass attempt since at least 2017, according to Next Gen Stats. The ball was on target, too.
Bengals corner D.J. Ivey had to leap and swat it away in the end zone to preserve the win for Cincinnati.
That kind of arm strength at this stage in Rodgers’ career? It’s not just rare - it’s almost unheard of.
Rodgers has made a career out of those late-game moonshots. He’s completed four Hail Marys in his career, the most by any quarterback in NFL history. His most recent successful one came in Week 6 of the 2024 season - a 52-yard bomb to Allen Lazard that reminded everyone just how dangerous he still is when the pocket breaks down and the clock’s ticking.
So what’s next? That’s the big question. Rodgers hasn’t committed to playing another season yet, and McCarthy admits he doesn’t have any inside info on the decision.
“I don’t, but I’ll say this - this is normal for him at this time of year,” McCarthy said. “This has been my experience with Aaron, and something that I always encouraged him to do, even in his younger years in Green Bay.
It’s important for, really, all these guys to get away. There’s definitely a decompressing component of playing a season, competing through a season.
The Super Bowl is really - kinda that Monday afterwards - is just, I think, emotionally, for all of us, is when the page truly gets turned onto the new year.”
Translation: Rodgers is doing what he’s always done - taking time to reflect, recharge, and figure out if he’s ready to run it back again.
“I think Aaron is just going through his process and evaluating what he wants to do moving forward. … I hope he’s coming back,” McCarthy added.
And if he does? Based on what we’ve seen - and what McCarthy knows - don’t be surprised if Rodgers is still slinging deep balls like it’s 2011. Because whether he’s 42 or 70, that arm doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.