With the Pittsburgh Steelers loss in the AFC wild card round, it appeared quarterback Aaron Rodgers had played his final NFL game. At the very least, pundits didn’t expect the 42-year-old to return to the Steelers because of Mike Tomlin’s exit.
Steelers president Art Rooney II strongly suggested Tomlin’s resignation would have that impact on Rodgers.
However, since hiring Mike McCarthy on January 24, the Steelers have begun to leave the door open for a Rodgers return. After an update from insider Mark Kaboly on Friday, though, Rodgers coming back seems to be more than just a possibility.
“I think he will be their starting quarterback unless he comes to some kind of decision over the next month that he’s just done with football 100 percent,” Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan, via Steelers Depot’s Jeremy Pike. “This is him basically saying he’s coming back without him admitting he’s coming back.”
In his first week as head coach, McCarthy voiced his desire for Rodgers to return. But Kaboly is the first to imply that inside the Steelers organization, Rodgers returning is the expectation.
“What I’ve heard a lot is they’re expecting him to come back … They are under the impression that he still wants to play.”
Rodgers led the Steelers to a 10-6 record in 16 starts last season. He posted 3,322 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Steelers Expect Aaron Rodgers to Return in 2026?
McCarthy has made it no secret that Rodgers coming back for a 22nd NFL season is his top desire. The Steelers head coach first expressed that Tuesday in his introductory press conference.
“Definitely, I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” said McCarthy on whether he wanted Rodgers to return.
McCarthy has expanded on his hope Rodgers returns in various interviews since Tuesday.
“The Super Bowl, the Monday afterwards is, I think emotionally for all of us, when the page truly gets turned onto the new year. I think Aaron’s just going through his process and evaluating what he wants to do moving forward,” said McCarthy on WDVE on Friday.
“I hope he’s coming back.”
But Kaboly on Friday afternoon was the first to say the Steelers aren’t just hoping, they expect Rodgers to return.
Pros to Rodgers Coming Back for Steelers
Toward the end of the 2025 season, offensive continuity was one of the biggest arguments pundits made for Rodgers returning to the Steelers in 2026. The 42-year-old could simply retire. But if he wanted to play again, a return to Arthur Smith’s offense made the most sense.
Of course, Smith now won’t be back. The Steelers are changing their coaching staff and thus their offensive playbook.
But they hired a head coach Rodgers played under for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Under McCarthy, Rodgers won two MVP awards and a Super Bowl title.
If the veteran quarterback wants to play again, the Steelers still seem to be his best option even though Tomlin is gone.
For the Steelers, Rodgers presents a serviceable quarterback option while the organization continues its search for a future starter. Perhaps QB3 Will Howard is part of the answer. McCarthy has spoken highly of Howard early in his tenure as head coach.
Should the veteran quarterback return, Howard can continue to study and learn under Rodgers.
Or the Steelers could find another developmental quarterback project to sit behind Rodgers next season. That doesn’t appear to be as likely an option, though, because Howard and Mason Rudolph are already under contract for 2026.
It’s important to note that while Kaboly said the Steelers expect Rodgers to return, nothing is official. Last year, the veteran quarterback didn’t sign his contract until June 5.
“Until you sign on the dotted line, you just never know, especially with Aaron,” concluded Kaboly.
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