Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy says he “definitely” wants quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return for a second season with the franchise.
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy said during Tuesday’s introductory press conference about wanting Rodgers back.
McCarthy added that he feels Rodgers needs to “step away” before making the decision whether to return.
“I have spoken to Aaron, and that’s really where we are there,” McCarthy said. “But I was able to sit back and watch games, I watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
Rodgers played last season on a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Steelers before hitting unrestricted free agency ahead of what would be his age-43 season in 2026.
McCarthy and Rodgers worked together for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, including the team that won Super Bowl XLV over the Steelers in February 2011.
Despite reports describing a split between McCarthy and Rodgers before the Packers fired the head coach in December 2018, Rodgers has previously indicated he would like to play for McCarthy again, per SNY’s Connor Hughes.
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported last weekend that league sources felt “the Steelers were not considering McCarthy as a way to entice Rodgers to return for a second season,” but that “countless players and several others inside the organization would welcome the quarterback’s return.”
During his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions through 16 starts while leading the Steelers to a 10-6 record before the team was bounced from the Wild Card round by the Houston Texans.
Rodgers indicated in December, the month he turned 42, that he is considering for a 22nd NFL campaign.
The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as the only quarterbacks under contract for 2026.
Rudolph made five appearances, including a loss in one start, for the Steelers last season. He completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 310 yards, two touchdowns and two picks during that stretch.
The veteran backup, who will turn 31 this summer, is heading into next season on an expiring contract.
Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick, spent most of last season on the injured list after suffering a fractured right hand during training camp.
Howard, who will turn 25 early in the 2026 season, is heading into the second season of his four-year rookie contract.
“I’m really excited about Will Howard,” McCarthy said. “He’s someone that, I thought he really came on there at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him. So, it’d be great to have Aaron back, but Will and Mason, I’m really excited to get started with those guys.”
Whichever quarterback starts for the Steelers next season will be working with a new offensive coordinator now that Arthur Smith has departed to join Ohio State. McCarthy confirmed Tuesday that he plans to call plays in 2026 regardless of that hire.
McCarthy comes to Pittsburgh having most recently spent five seasons coaching the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024. The Steelers will hope his experience working with Rodgers can help guide him through his first season with Pittsburgh, whether he’s working with his longtime quarterback or applying those lessons to a new signal caller this fall.