Hope for Aaron Rodgers’ Return to Steelers

There’s still some optimism surrounding Aaron Rodgers and the possibility of him joining the Steelers next season. This week, Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly mentioned that he believes the future Hall of Fame quarterback may put on the yellow and black jersey if he decides to continue playing in the NFL.

“I think he’s going to be the starter unless he makes a definitive choice in the next month to retire completely,” Kaboly stated on “93.7 The Fan.” He suggested that while nothing is confirmed, there’s a strong feeling that Rodgers is inclined to return. “What I’m hearing is they really expect him back… They seem to think he still wants to play,” he added.

Rodgers, who is 42, has been in discussions with newly appointed head coach Mike McCarthy since he took the job last Saturday. McCarthy shared on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he has had multiple conversations with Rodgers. “Like any seasoned player, sometimes it’s essential to take a step back. It’s a normal part of the process. I think for all players, winding down after the season is important, and he feels the same way,” McCarthy explained.

“From our talks, that’s about what I can say concerning his return,” he noted. During his introductory press conference, McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm about possibly having the four-time NFL MVP lead the team in 2026. “Absolutely, I can’t see any reason why that wouldn’t happen,” he replied when asked about Rodgers being his quarterback.

Rodgers and McCarthy share a long history, having worked together for eleven seasons in Green Bay, where they won the Super Bowl in 2011. Last season, Rodgers had a solid performance with 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and 3,322 yards over 16 games.

After the Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round, Rodgers avoided discussing any retirement plans. “I’m not going to rush into an emotional decision,” he stated. “Overall, it’s been a really enjoyable year. Sure, there’s been adversity, but it’s also been a lot of fun. Being part of this team has truly been a highlight for me.”