With long-time Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin ending his 19-year stint with the organization following their 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans, all eyes are now on those who remain. Owner Art Rooney II and General Manager Omar Khan have to decide what direction to take the franchise in next, and they have already begun searching for who will replace Tomlin as the team's leader.
Plenty of key roster decisions are also on the horizon. With a massively expensive defense and a roster full of aging veterans, will they look to blow it all up? Or will they do a "soft" rebuild, shedding some salary and older players but not gutting the team entirely?
Regardless of the direction they choose to go in, it appears part of the equation will be finding a new starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers this offseason in large part due to Tomlin's presence and reputation. With him no longer a part of the organization, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes Rodgers' time in Pittsburgh is over.
From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Bills OC Joe Brady has interviews set up after the game, but all eyes are on beating the #Broncos first; Have we seen the last of Aaron Rodgers? In Pittsburgh, we have. pic.twitter.com/5WPXCs0K3m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 17, 2026
Ian Rapoport all but says that Aaron Rodgers' time as a Pittsburgh Steeler is over
There are plenty of ways to describe Tomlin as a coach during his time in Pittsburgh, but "players coach" is maybe the most common one. Players across the NFL have said throughout the years that he is one of the coaches they would love to play for, and the vast majority of his former players still speak fondly of him today.
That reputation is what drew Rodgers to Pittsburgh this past season, and his recent departure is why Rapoport seems confident that, if he does play in 2026, it won't be with the Steelers. While many fans expected that to be the case, perhaps even if Tomlin chose to stay, it does present a challenge for the Steelers.
On one hand, Rodgers' season in 2025 was the best by a Steelers QB in several years, leading them to their first AFC North title since 2020. On the other hand, why bring back a QB who will turn 43 next season on a team in transition?
Even if Rodgers did want to return, it just wouldn't make much sense considering the likely step back the team is about to take. It's still up in the air whether he will play at all in 2026, but there will be multiple teams who would be better fits for him than the Steelers would be. Considering how his final game played out, I have a feeling he will be lacing up the cleats for at least one more season.