After the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, he has plenty of work to do. The Senior Bowl is here, and he must fill out a quality staff around him. Beyond those tasks, McCarthy must decide on the direction the team will take regarding the quarterback position. They could go in a couple of different directions, the main focal point being the future of Aaron Rodgers.
Both McCarthy and Rodgers were in Green Bay together from 2006 to 2018, where they accomplished a Super Bowl victory, ironically against the Steelers. They saw plenty of success, but didn't get over the hump and win more Super Bowls other than that one. A reunion of Rodgers and Pittsburgh could trigger more of the same, but it will be up to McCarthy if he wants that to happen.
There are several other routes Pittsburgh could take in its quarterback search for next season.
This group of free-agent quarterbacks is not particularly strong, but it does offer a few viable stopgap options. While the NFL Draft lacks depth at the position, there are still several high-upside prospects available. McCarthy could always decide to roll with Will Howard or Mason Rudolph next season if Rodgers is not brought back.
Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike McCarthy must decide if Aaron Rodgers will return in 2026
Owner Art Rooney II seemed more optimistic about Rodgers potentially returning next season compared to when Mike Tomlin stepped down. That will infuriate much of Steelers Nation as they want change. Bringing Rodgers back after another mushy middle finish would be more of the same.
McCarthy has a solid connection with the veteran gunslinger, but it doesn't mean it'll happen.
It wasn't the best relationship between the head coach and Rodgers during their final days together in Green Bay. With that being said, time heals most wounds, and that could be the case here. If Rodgers were to return to the franchise after Tomlin left, McCarthy would be one of the potential options to keep his interest in coming back. Only time will tell how the new head coach feels.
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On paper, it makes sense to run it back with the future Hall of Famer. He is coming off a statistically solid season, and a transition into McCarthy’s system could help unlock improvements that were missing in his previous campaign. They don't have any legit successors on the roster right now, and odds are, they won't locate one in free agency or the draft.
Unless someone becomes available on the trade block, they're stuck.
Deciding to bring Rodgers back, if he wants to, will be McCarthy's first massive decision in his new role. It makes sense on paper, but if the Steelers head coach feels as confident in Howard as some reports claim, then bringing Rodgers back doesn't make sense. Pittsburgh has some options to move on from the grizzled veteran, but none that will probably give them a shot at winning this season.