Establishing the starting quarterback is usually the first step in a rebuild. Somehow, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem comfortable operating out of order. The ongoing saga surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his possible retirement continues to linger over Omar Khan’s franchise. It is a storm no team wants to sit in, especially with an important season ahead.
But indecision always sparks conversation. And former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin weighed in on who Mike McCarthy could have under center in 2026.
“Man, if you had a gun to my head, I’d say it’s AR,” Tomlin shared during his conversation with Maria Taylor on NBC Sports. “He has a love affair with the game of football.”
Watching Tomlin step away from coaching was a bitter pill to swallow. But hearing the insight he offered on Pittsburgh’s potential quarterback helped ease that sting. Nineteen consecutive winning seasons were an achievement that often felt undervalued, and at times, his work did not receive the appreciation it deserved.
Still, his personal relationship with Aaron Rodgers provides valuable insight into what Pittsburgh could be planning.
It has been difficult to gauge Omar Khan’s vision for this offense. Investing in Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at No. 76 in the third round of the NFL Draft sends mixed signals to fans trying to buy into Will Howard’s potential. It feels like a calculated gamble with real upside, but it also adds another layer of uncertainty to an already inexperienced depth chart.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Aaron Rodgers to return for the 2026 NFL season
Without Rodgers, Mason Rudolph is the most polished option available. That does not exactly inspire confidence, and it is hard to imagine the front office feels much differently.
After watching Khan’s approach throughout the weekend, things began to connect. Tomlin’s initial comments started to carry more weight. It did not provide a definitive answer on Rodgers, but pointed toward the most logical outcome.
“The informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates, I think he has an addiction to that,” Tomlin explained. "And there is only one way to feed it."
And the Steelers need Rodgers to be the one to feed it. Whether it is mentoring the next quarterback or delivering in critical moments, his presence would bring stability to an uncertain situation.
Because if Rodgers is not the one providing that for the offense this season, who will?
I am not sure I want to watch another year of Pittsburgh avoiding a true reset under center. But I know the current quarterback room will support McCarthy’s restructured offense. If Rodgers is willing to play, he remains the best option.
“Certainly, he is still capable and in really good shape,” Tomlin concluded. “At the end of the day, I think he will play football.”
If nothing else, it may complicate the rebuild. But ignoring Tomlin’s instincts feels like a mistake. If he believes Rodgers will be in Pittsburgh this season, it is hard not to start believing it too.
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