The 2025 NFL season is officially over following the Seattle Seahawks dismantling of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have already seen major changes so far this offseason.
The resignation of Mike Tomlin, the hiring of Mike McCarthy, and the continued questions about who will be the starting quarterback in 2026 are just some of the biggest talking points that have come up since their season ended.
Aaron Rodgers seemed destined to either retire or play elsewhere next season once Tomlin stepped down, but the McCarthy hire immediately raised speculation that the Steelers were still hoping for him to return. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter's comments on The Pat McAfee Show Monday, he all but confirmed that the entire team wants the veteran QB back.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers would absolutely love to have Aaron Rodgers back..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 9, 2026
Obviously Aaron Rodgers has to decide what he wants to do" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Fouj1wQ4Lw
Adam Schefter says that nearly the entire Pittsburgh Steelers roster wants Aaron Rodgers to return
Steelers fans have already heard plenty of rumors that suggest Rodgers could come back to the team in 2026, but what Schefter said about how his teammates feel about the situation is extremely telling.
"When they had the exit meetings with Pittsburgh Steelers players, almost to a man they wanted Aaron Rodgers back. And the one thing that conveyed to me was how much respect and love there was from other teammates about Aaron Rodgers, and how much they wanted him back."
That level of praise is hard to ignore, and it's not like they have any can't-miss alternatives for the 2026 season. Schefter also made it clear that the decision is in the hands of Rodgers at this point. That doesn't mean that they will give him as much time to decide as last offseason, but the question isn't about what the Steelers want at this point; it's what the former MVP wants.
While I can understand why the players who just spent a season with him want to run it back, the reality that Rodgers could start for the Steelers again is hard to stomach. Even factoring in an improved offensive environment and the expected addition of multiple new playmakers, how much better can it really go compared to last season?
The Steelers insistence on playing it safe and avoiding risk at all costs is how they end up waiting on a 42-year-old QB to decide if he wants to keep playing, instead of at least trying to solve the problem long term. Even if it isn't Rodgers, expect a washed-up veteran to be the QB for the Steelers in 2026.