Steelers' Newest Hire Could Bring Huge Challenge If Aaron Rodgers Returns To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to round out their coaching staff as the 2026 offseason continues to unfold in the Steel City. New head coach Mike McCarthy now has added Frank Cignetti Jr. Cignetti Jr., who is the brother of University of Indiana Hoosiers Head Coach Curt Cignetti, is returning to Pittsburgh where he had once worked for the University of Pittsburgh. Cignetti Jr. also worked as the Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach in 2018, which could add an interesting wrinkle to the 2026 Steelers. That wrinkle, of course, would only be if quarterback Aaron Rodgers decides to return.

Back in 2018, under McCarthy in Green Bay, Rodgers apparently grew frustrated with McCarthy letting the quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt seemingly walk. Cignetti Jr., who will now join McCarthy in Pittsburgh, was the replacement for Van Pelt in Green Bay back then. Back when this move happened, Rodgers had some interesting words about the move that could present a challenge in Pittsburgh should he come back as their quarterback. 

“[I] thought that was an interesting change, really without consulting me," Rodgers said. "There's a close connection between quarterback and quarterback coach, and that was an interesting decision."

These comments were made by Rodgers on ESPN radio's Golic and Wingo Show. This could make for a very interesting reunion between, not just Rodgers and McCarthy, but also Rodgers and Cignetti Jr. While the Steelers will not bring on Cignetti Jr. in the same role he had in Green Bay, as Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth was retained in Pittsburgh, Rodgers and Cignetti Jr. would re-join each other with McCarthy. Should this happen, there may be some grievances that need be addressed, if any still exist. 

While it is unclear if there are still any issues with Rodgers and Cignetti Jr., it was reported that wide receiver Roman Wilson would not be happy with a Rodgers return to Pittsburgh for a second year with the team. If there are still issues from the 2018 debacle in Green Bay, it appears that would make for two situations the Steelers would need to work out ahead of the 2026 season. This, along with the hard feelings Rodgers had on the departure of Van Pelt in Green Bay with Cignetti Jr. as his replacement, puts the Steelers in a peculiar position as they await Rodgers' decision on whether or not to come back.

Steelers Should Get Some Reassuring News Soon

While it is unclear what Rodgers will do for 2026, it appears he will provide the Steelers with an answer far before the timeline he did before the 2025 regular season. Rodgers did not sign with the Steelers until June of last year, a decision in which many felt Rodgers was holding the franchise hostage due to how long it took to play out. Fortunately for the Steelers, it appears they will have direction earlier on so they know if they are running it back with Rodgers or letting quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Will Howard battle it out for the 2026 starting job.

The Steelers should have a clear plan ahead of Rodgers' return, if he ultimately decides to come back for a second year in Pittsburgh. Should any issues still exist between him and either Wilson or Cignetti Jr., it would be best for the Steelers to squash those issues and look ahead to the 2026 season with a clean slate. This is the first time in nearly 20 years the Steelers have a new head coach, so leaving any past issues in the past, would benefit the franchise in their hopes of success in 2026. Of course, no matter who is at quarterback, the Steelers' signal-caller will need some help, particularly at the wide receiver position. However, for a team going on a nearly decade long playoff-win drought, it would behoove them to squash any in-house issues so they do not blow up in their face in 2026.

Do you think bringing Rodgers back given his history with Frank Cignetti Jr. would be a bad idea? Let us know in the comments below!

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