When Mike McCarthy became the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, both fans and media began wondering if his hiring could lead to an unexpected reunion with Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 seasons together during their time with the Green Bay Packers, and Rodgers just spent the 2025 season as the Steelers QB.
The connection is obvious, and Rodgers had already begun walking back his preseason comments about 2025 being his last season, but how the Steelers' season ended left a bad taste in everyone's mouths. Had McCarthy not been hired, there likely wouldn't be much conversation about a potential second season in the Black and Gold.
The speculation about his potential return is stilla hot topic, and McCarthy further addressed the rumors on The Pat McAfee Show Friday.
When asked if he had had any direct conversations with Rodgers about his future, McCarthy had this to say.
"Yes, I have definitely spoken to Aaron (Rodgers) a number of times," McCarthy said.
"I have spoken to Aaron Rodgers a number of times..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 30, 2026
Like anybody that has played the game for a long time it's important for him to decompress after the season" ~ Coach McCarthy #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jPe4voYzku
Mike McCarthy makes his interest in a Pittsburgh Steelers reunion with Aaron Rodgers clear
McCarthy went on to say it's important to allow players to get away and decompress, likely to avoid further questions about the nature of their conversations. He did let it slip, however, that the conversations were indeed about his interest in a return.
"That's really about as far as our conversations have gone as far as if he's coming back or not coming back."
This all but confirms what was already made obvious during his press conference: Aaron Rodgers is the one who gets to decide if he will be the Steelers starter again in 2026. Rumors of a potential deadline aside, it's hard to understand the reasoning for this.
Regardless of whether you are a fan of the idea or not, giving Rodgers all the power in this situation is completely unwarranted, given where he is in his career. He is a 42-year-old going on 43-year-old QB who was just rendered completely useless in a playoff game. He may still end up being the best QB they can find this offseason, especially with the lackluster 2026 crop of draft prospects, but why bother?
McCarthy has already praised 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard as someone he believes has upside, and there are a few younger and higher upside passers that could be available via trade or free agency (Malik Willis, perhaps?). Why go with the guy with the least amount of upside who has already shown the floor isn't high enough to win in the playoffs?
His connection with McCarthy is ultimately what could be the difference, as it often is in the NFL. Hopefully, Rodgers is the one who sees the absurdity of returning and simply walks into the sunset.