Aaron Rodgers’ Return To Steelers Gaining Momentum

With former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy finding his way to Pittsburgh (after a five-year layover in Dallas), there’s been speculation that former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who found his way to Pittsburgh a year earlier, could have a new motivation to return to the team in 2026. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (via colleague Ian Rapoport), that could be the case as Rodgers appears to be seriously considering sticking with the Steelers for his 22nd season of NFL play.

Entering the season, many, including Rodgers, had some idea that 2025 would be a swan song for the league’s oldest active player, who is now older than eight active head coaches. As the regular season was coming to a close and Rodgers was on his way back to the playoffs for the first time in four years, the 42-year-old let it be known that he wasn’t married to the idea of retiring.

Immediately following the team’s postseason exit, there seemed to be mutual interest in Rodgers coming back on a new deal in 2026, but things changed when longtime head coach Mike Tomlin decided to step away. While Pittsburgh continued to support the idea of Rodgers returning for another year, the odds of Rodgers returning without Tomlin didn’t look great. The Steelers made a move, though, and it may have been the only move that could’ve aided a Rodgers return under a new head coach.

Though, they likely didn’t choose him with this end in mind, the hiring of McCarthy, Rodgers’ former head coach in Green Bay, to replace Tomlin as head coach may end up being a crucial key in retaining Rodgers. Steelers owner Art Rooney told media the door was still open to Rodgers, McCarthy expressed his desire for a reunion with his former quarterback, and top receiver D.K. Metcalf has even been in touch with Rodgers, trying to move the needle on coming back for another run. Pelissero reports that Rodgers has had several conversations with McCarthy since his arrival, and odds are increasing that a reunion will take place.

This “will he, won’t he” won’t last nearly as long as last year, when Rodgers didn’t choose a team until June. While they won’t pressure the veteran quarterback to make a decision, everyone is hoping that he will come to a decision before the start of free agency in mid-March. In the next month or so, we should have a better idea of whether or not we’ll see Rodgers return for his age-43 season in a reunion with McCarthy.