When Aaron Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason, the reaction across Steelers Nation and the broader NFL landscape was mixed. At over 40 years old, there was plenty of skepticism about how much Rodgers had left in the tank and whether he would truly fit within the Steelers' offense.
Instead, the results far exceeded expectations. Rodgers delivered Pittsburgh its best quarterback play since the Ben Roethlisberger era, finishing the season with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while leading the Steelers to a 10–7 record and an AFC North title.
Following Mike Tomlin’s resignation, it initially seemed unlikely that Rodgers would return. However, the Steelers decision to hire Mike McCarthy as Tomlin’s replacement, and Rodgers former head coach, has reopened the door. According to a recent report, Rodgers' return to Pittsburgh may now be more than just a possibility.
Tom Pelissero reports that the odds of Aaron Rodgers returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers are increasing
Sunday morning on NFL Network, Tom Pelissero reported that the odds are increasing that Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh for another season. Rodgers is said to be seriously considering coming back after already having several conversations with new head coach Mike McCarthy.
For an organization that clearly believes it is still in win-now mode, a belief reinforced by the hiring of McCarthy, bringing Rodgers back for one more season makes a lot of sense. His familiarity with McCarthy and the offense would give the Steelers their best chance to compete immediately. However, the situation also places the franchise in a difficult spot as it continues its search for a long-term franchise quarterback.
A Rodgers return would essentially push that decision down the road for another year. McCarthy, during his introductory press conference, spoke about his excitement to work with Will Howard, and many believe the Steelers should give Howard a full season to see if he can develop into a long term option.
If that experiment fails and the team struggles, Pittsburgh could then find itself in a position to draft a quarterback next season in what is expected to be a much stronger quarterback class. Another option would be bringing Rodgers back and allowing Howard to sit, learn under Rodgers, and spend a year getting comfortable in McCarthy’s system before the team reassesses its future at the position.
There are several variables at play, but one thing is clear: the Steelers' front office cannot afford to enter another offseason waiting on Rodgers to make a decision. They need clarity before free agency begins so they can either build an offense designed for one final run with Rodgers or pivot fully toward the future if he chooses to retire or play elsewhere.
At this point, Rodgers' return appears increasingly likely. If it does happen, a final reunion between Rodgers and McCarthy would be one of the most compelling storylines of the upcoming NFL season.