What does Mike Tomlin leaving Pittsburgh mean for Aaron Rodgers?

What’s next for Aaron Rodgers after Mike Tomlin’s departure?

A return to the NFL next season remains a possibility, but it seems unlikely that he will stay in Pittsburgh.

Ian Rapoport from NFL Network reported that he “doesn’t expect” Rodgers to continue with the Steelers, particularly after Tomlin’s decision to step down as head coach. Rodgers had initially signed a one-year deal under Tomlin for the 2025 season, and he had mentioned that playing for Tomlin was a significant factor in his decision.

“It starts with Mike Tomlin,” Rodgers said. “I’ve admired him for a long time. There are iconic franchises in the NFL. I spent 18 years with one of them, and this is another. There’s something special about this area—great quarterbacks have come from Pittsburgh. I feel like this city has been part of my journey from the start.”

After the Steelers’ wild-card loss to the Texans, Rodgers seemed hesitant when discussing his future. He stated on Monday night that he wouldn’t make any emotional decisions and expressed his full support for his head coach.

“This league has changed so much over my 21 years,” he reflected. “When I first came into the league, there wasn’t any talk about guys like Mike Tomlin or Matt LaFleur being on the hot seat.”

“But the media landscape has shifted,” he continued, “with pundits on Twitter and TV giving their hot takes like they know the ins and outs. It’s a bit ridiculous, really.” He acknowledged Tomlin’s impressive track record, noting, “Mike has had more success than anyone in the league over the last two decades.”

With Tomlin leaving, it appears Rodgers may follow suit.

What happens next for this future Hall of Fame quarterback? The league has options. Several teams are searching for a quarterback and have high draft picks, including the New York Jets, who hold the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets received some disappointing news when Oregon’s Dante Moore announced he would stay in college for another season, but it doesn’t seem likely they’ll reconnect.

Other potential teams include the Arizona Cardinals, who might trade Kyler Murray, or even the Minnesota Vikings. This was a scenario discussed last year before Rodgers joined the Steelers, mirroring Brett Favre’s journey through Green Bay, New York, and Minnesota. The Miami Dolphins could also be a consideration, or Rodgers might choose to wait until deep into training camp for other opportunities.