If Aaron Rodgers is going to suit up for a 22nd NFL season, Pittsburgh might just be the place. According to recent reporting, the odds of Rodgers returning to the Steelers in 2026 are trending upward - and head coach Mike McCarthy is more than open to the idea.
The two go way back, of course, having won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay. Now, with uncertainty under center and a young quarterback still developing, a Rodgers reunion could be exactly the bridge Pittsburgh needs.
Still, don’t expect a quick decision. Rodgers is known for taking his time when it comes to career moves - and this offseason looks no different.
While both sides are reportedly open to a return, there’s no firm timeline on when Rodgers will make his call. He’s weighing everything: the physical toll, the mental grind, and the fit - both in Pittsburgh and potentially elsewhere, though other landing spots appear unlikely at this stage.
In the meantime, the Steelers are keeping their options open. Rookie quarterback Will Howard - a sixth-round pick in 2025 - has shown promising development, and the team is encouraged by his trajectory.
McCarthy even called Howard’s upside “tremendous,” which is no small praise from a coach who's seen elite quarterback play up close. But Howard isn’t quite ready to take over the reins just yet, and with Mason Rudolph entering the final year of his two-year deal, the quarterback room still lacks a long-term answer.
That’s where Rodgers fits in. He’s familiar with McCarthy’s offensive system, and his presence would give Howard a valuable year to learn and grow without being thrown into the fire. For a franchise trying to build sustainable success, that kind of mentorship - from a four-time MVP no less - could be invaluable.
Rodgers, for his part, showed he still has something left in the tank last season. After two tough years with the Jets, he bounced back as a free-agent signing, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. That kind of production, paired with his experience, makes him an ideal stopgap while the Steelers figure out their future at the position.
Of course, the draft remains a factor. Pittsburgh has done its homework on the 2026 quarterback class, but it’s not exactly a deep group once you get past the top two names - Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
With Ole Miss standout Trinidad Chambliss securing an injunction to return to college, the pool of pro-ready talent just got even thinner. That could nudge the Steelers further toward a short-term veteran like Rodgers while continuing to develop talent in-house.
If Rodgers makes his decision before April’s draft, it would go a long way in clarifying Pittsburgh’s quarterback plan. A commitment from him would allow the Steelers to pass on reaching for a QB and instead focus on other roster needs. And with McCarthy now at the helm, Rodgers wouldn’t need a crash course - he already knows the system, the terminology, and the expectations.
Bottom line: Rodgers gives the Steelers a proven, steady hand while they groom the next guy. Whether that’s Howard, a future draft pick, or someone else down the road, the presence of a seasoned veteran could buy Pittsburgh the time it needs to get the long-term answer right. For now, it’s a waiting game - but the door is wide open for Rodgers to walk back through it.