Mike McCarthy’s arrival in Pittsburgh has reunited him with Aaron Rodgers for a new era with the Steelers. Rodgers is entering his 22nd NFL season at 42, while McCarthy begins his first season as Pittsburgh’s head coach after the pair spent 13 seasons together in Green Bay.
McCarthy sees Rodgers as both a veteran starter and a resource for Pittsburgh’s other quarterbacks. Their reunion was one of the Steelers’ major storylines entering the 2026 season, and Pittsburgh opened the year with a 20-13 victory over Atlanta.
McCarthy sees Rodgers as more than a quarterback
McCarthy has been direct about Rodgers’ value since taking over in Pittsburgh. He has described Rodgers as a “tremendous resource” and encouraged Steelers players to spend time with him because of the experience he can share beyond his role as the starting quarterback.
McCarthy coached Rodgers from 2006 through the 2018 season, including Rodgers’ rise to the starting job and his MVP seasons. The pair also won Super Bowl XLV together with Green Bay.
That history gives McCarthy extensive experience with Rodgers’ approach to the game. Rodgers’ familiarity with McCarthy’s offense also gives Pittsburgh a quarterback who already understands many of the coach’s concepts.
His experience gives Pittsburgh another veteran voice in a quarterback room that includes two younger players. McCarthy has emphasized the value of having Rodgers around the other quarterbacks.
Rodgers’ return changed the quarterback room
Rodgers left his 2026 future unresolved after helping Pittsburgh win the AFC North in 2025. He completed 327 of 498 passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 16 starts before signing a new 1-year deal with the Steelers.
Rodgers later explained that McCarthy’s hiring influenced his decision. He also credited conversations with McCarthy, general manager Omar Khan, and his wife with helping him decide to play another season.
The Steelers added rookie quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft while retaining Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Pittsburgh ultimately kept all 4 quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster, with Rodgers as the starter.
McCarthy values what Rodgers can teach younger players
McCarthy has emphasized the educational value of Rodgers’ presence in Pittsburgh. Rodgers’ experience gives the Steelers’ younger quarterbacks an opportunity to learn from a veteran who has spent more than two decades preparing for NFL games.
McCarthy has also praised the development of Will Howard and Drew Allar as they learn behind Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. The Steelers ultimately kept all 4 quarterbacks on their 2026 roster, giving the young players an opportunity to continue developing within the same room.
Rodgers has embraced a leadership role without formally becoming a coach. His experience remains an important part of a quarterback room that includes a veteran starter, an experienced backup and 2 young quarterbacks.
The reunion now carries a clear ending
Rodgers has removed much of the uncertainty surrounding his future. In July, he said the 2026 season would be his final NFL season, describing the decision as having “zero debate” after previously leaving open the possibility of retirement.
The Steelers are therefore entering a season that Rodgers has already identified as his last. That gives his reunion with McCarthy a defined final chapter after their years together in Green Bay.
The timing also creates urgency around Pittsburgh. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season and entered 2026 having lost 5 straight playoff games.
Fun fact: Aaron Rodgers was a two-sport athlete in high school and played baseball at Pleasant Valley High School before focusing on football.
Pittsburgh’s new era is tied to Rodgers
McCarthy has stressed that the Steelers’ identity cannot depend on one player, but Rodgers remains central to the team as its starting quarterback. His familiarity with McCarthy gives Pittsburgh a quarterback who already knows the coach after their years together in Green Bay.
Rodgers also provides experience for a quarterback room that includes Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar. McCarthy has emphasized the value of that experience as Pittsburgh develops its younger quarterbacks.
McCarthy’s first regular-season game in Pittsburgh is already in the books. The Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 on Sept. 13, with Rodgers throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
TL;DR
- Mike McCarthy views Aaron Rodgers as both Pittsburgh’s starter and a valuable resource for the team’s younger quarterbacks.
- Rodgers returned for 2026 after a 2025 season with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
- The Steelers kept Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar on their 2026 quarterback roster.
- Rodgers has confirmed that 2026 will be his final NFL season.
- Pittsburgh opened the regular season with a 20-13 victory over Atlanta on Sept. 13 in McCarthy’s first game as Steelers head coach.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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