Tomlin on Rodgers’ Future with Steelers

Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has speculated that Aaron Rodgers could return to the Steelers by 2026.

During a broadcast on NBC, Tomlin, who is now part of their NFL coverage team, expressed his belief that Rodgers has an “addiction” to football. This makes it difficult for him to detach from the game, at least for now.

“If I had to guess, I’d say it’s an AR, Aaron,” Tomlin remarked to Malia Taylor on Sunday’s NBA pregame show, where he was present to discuss his new role. He reflected on his experience with Rodgers, stating, “In the 12 months we were together, he really fell in love with football—everything about it. Not just the game itself, but also the behind-the-scenes moments, developing younger players, and bonding with teammates. It seems like he relies on that connection, and the only way to maintain it is to keep playing. He’s still in excellent shape, so I believe he’ll continue to play football.”

After 19 seasons leading the Steelers, this upcoming 2025 season will be Tomlin’s last, coinciding with Rodgers’ first year in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers has yet to disclose whether he will play in 2026 and had delayed signing with the Steelers until June’s mandatory minicamp last season.

Before considering adding Rodgers, the Steelers already had a busy quarterback lineup. They used a third-round draft pick to acquire Drew Aller from Penn State and also have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the roster.

This time around, it’s noteworthy that Tomlin won’t be involved in the decision-making for the starting quarterback position.

Tomlin stepped down from his coaching role in February and shared with Taylor that this was not a hasty decision. “It’s not something easily explained,” he admitted. “There’s a certain isolation that comes with leadership. I felt it was the right moment for me personally and for the organization given our playoff performance in recent years.”