The buzz around Aaron Rodgers potentially returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season is getting louder - and it’s not just fans doing the talking. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is the latest voice from inside the locker room to express optimism about a reunion with the future Hall of Famer.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and the front office haven’t exactly been shy about their openness to bringing Rodgers back. And based on what we’re hearing from players, that sentiment is shared throughout the building. Multiple reports after the season indicated that during exit interviews, Rodgers drew high praise from teammates - not just for his on-field play, but for his leadership, experience, and the steadying presence he brought to the team.
Highsmith, speaking during Super Bowl media week on The Sick Podcast, was asked point-blank if he thinks Rodgers will be back in Pittsburgh next season. His answer? Cautious, but hopeful.
“We’ll see. I don’t 100% know yet,” Highsmith said.
“But I’m assuming us hiring Coach McCarthy there could be a good chance, for sure. I don’t know, but we do hope he comes back.”
That’s more than just a throwaway comment. Highsmith is connecting dots that a lot of people around the league have been watching closely.
Rodgers and McCarthy, of course, have a long and storied history together - one that includes a Super Bowl title in Green Bay. That kind of familiarity matters, especially when you’re talking about a 43-year-old quarterback who’s not looking to start from scratch in a new system.
Rodgers himself has been nothing but complimentary of the Steelers organization throughout last season. Whether it was the way the team is run, the culture in the locker room, or the city’s football-first mentality, he’s made it clear he felt at home in Pittsburgh.
And while there’s still no official word on what Rodgers plans to do next, the growing chorus of support from both the coaching staff and players is telling. His impact in the locker room was real.
His presence on the field - even in the later stages of his career - still commands respect. And when you combine that with his connection to McCarthy, the pieces are there for a potential encore.
Nothing’s guaranteed in the NFL offseason, especially when it comes to veteran quarterbacks with résumés like Rodgers’. But if the tea leaves are to be believed, the Steelers are very much in the mix to bring him back for another run. And judging by the tone inside that locker room, they’d welcome him with open arms.