Mike McCarthy just made his stance on Aaron Rodgers' future crystal clear

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially beginning a new era, as they formally introduced Mike McCarthy as the new Head Coach at a press conference on Tuesday. While there were many big topics that were covered during the event, it didn't take long for the conversation to steer towards the proverbial elephant in the room.

McCarthy was quickly asked about whether he wants Aaron Rodgers to return as the Steelers quarterback in 2026, and his answer was exactly what you would expect from someone who spent 13 years coaching the future Hall of Famer.

“Definitely," McCarthy said. "I don’t see why you wouldn’t.”

It was assumed that McCarthy would have an interest in having Rodgers return, and owner Art Rooney II seemed to leave the door open for Rodgers even before hiring his former coach. Now, though, we can assume the decision lies not with Pittsburgh, but with Rodgers himself.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are leaving their immediate future in the hands of Aaron Rodgers

McCarthy had more to say about Rodgers, namely that he was a major asset for the Steelers this past season. While that may be true in many ways, there is no denying that Rodgers is no longer the difference maker he was the last time McCarthy was his HC.

Rodgers struggled mightily for stretches of last season, with his declining athleticism and unwillingness to push the ball downfield routinely killing the offense's momentum. At 42 years old, neither of those things is going to get better suddenly, regardless of who is calling plays.

McCarthy is an old-school guy, one who undoubtedly values what a veteran who knows his offense can provide. His interest in his old QB is not a surprise, and he may even be hoping he can help him develop a player like Will Howard while giving it one more go at age 43.

The question now, however, is whether that is what Rodgers wants. He seemed open to playing again in 2026 as the season was winding down, but a crushing playoff loss to the Houston Texans and the loss of Mike Tomlin as the team's HC may have changed things significantly.

Why would he come back to the Steelers if any other team (the Vikings, perhaps?) looking to contend came calling? Even if they don't, does he really want to run it back with a coach who has only won a single playoff game in nearly a decade? It certainly didn't work out with Tomlin, and McCarthy is a lateral move at best, if not a clear downgrade.

Regardless, it seem that the decision is now in the former MVP's hands.