If the Pittsburgh Steelers are indeed eyeing Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, they might be doing more than just filling a vacancy - they could be setting the stage for one of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the NFL. And yes, that includes the possibility of reuniting McCarthy with Aaron Rodgers.
Let’s unpack that.
Rodgers and McCarthy, of course, go way back. The two teamed up in Green Bay for over a decade, highlighted by a Super Bowl win that cemented their legacy together.
While their relationship had its bumps toward the end - as most long-term NFL partnerships do - there's no denying the success they found when they were in sync. Now, with the Steelers in the market for both a head coach and a long-term plan at quarterback, the idea of bringing the band back together suddenly doesn’t sound so far-fetched.
Former NFL GM Doug Whaley added fuel to the fire during an appearance on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 FM, when asked whether a Rodgers-McCarthy reunion would make sense. His answer?
“Absolutely, no doubt.” He went on to suggest that the pairing could serve as a bridge to the future - with Rodgers potentially playing one more season while the team develops a young quarterback behind him.
And here’s where things get interesting.
The Steelers, as currently constructed, aren’t in position to grab a plug-and-play QB in this year’s draft. The top-tier prospects likely won’t fall to them, and even if one does, throwing a rookie into the fire without a strong mentor or stable coaching situation isn’t exactly a recipe for success.
Enter Rodgers - a quarterback who not only learned under Brett Favre, but later mentored Jordan Love in Green Bay. He’s been on both sides of the developmental equation and knows the value of patience and preparation.
With McCarthy potentially at the helm, the Steelers would be giving Rodgers a familiar voice in the headset and the chance to shape the next era of Pittsburgh football. It’s a move that would buy the franchise time to find - and groom - their next franchise quarterback, without rushing the process or sacrificing competitiveness in the short term.
For Rodgers, it’s a chance to write a final chapter on his own terms, with a coach he knows, in a city that reveres tough, smart football. For McCarthy, it’s a chance to step into a storied franchise with a veteran quarterback who knows his system inside and out.
And for the Steelers? It’s a shot at stability while building for the future.
Nothing’s official yet, and a lot has to fall into place. But if Pittsburgh is serious about McCarthy, and if Rodgers is open to one more ride, this reunion could be more than just nostalgic - it could be strategic.