"He Wasn't Going To Return": Steelers Made A Big Change That Will Now Bring Aaron Rodgers Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers' recent hiring of Head Coach Mike McCarthy proves that the team wants to move in a different direction, focusing on offense. That unit for Pittsburgh was often its weak point last season, and the organization has made vital moves to address it in the 2026 offseason.

Last season, the Steelers were led by 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the league's highest-paid defense. The team won the AFC North title, and was granted a home playoff berth. However, the team was blown out in the Wild Card Round, and yet again, left fans disappointed without a coveted playoff win. Now, the Steelers have been aggressive this offseason and have made additions that will help the team's offensive woes from last season as mentioned.

Steelers fans have yet to get an answer from the four-time MVP, Rodgers, about his official decision to come back or not for 2026. It feels like Groundhog Day just waiting for his decision yet again. The organization has made moves to entice him to join the team, however. The obvious one is hiring his former head coach, McCarthy. 

Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly believes that this decision has helped convince Rodgers to come back, as he alluded to in his recent mailbag on X.

"Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t be playing anymore if it weren’t for McCarthy replacing [Mike] Tomlin. He wasn’t going to return after Tomlin stepped down, but Big Mike’s [McCarthy] hiring changed that," Kaboly wrote. 

Rodgers and McCarthy were together in Green Bay for 13 seasons (2006-2018) and brought home a Lombardi Trophy together. The quarterback won two of his four MVPs under McCarthy's direction, and the two found a ton of success together. While their relationship ended somewhat rocky, they have since spoken and made up. 

Rodgers played a solid season last year, even with his lack of weaponry. The veteran found a way to win when it mattered and limited his turnover numbers, as he always has. He still showed some sparks of youth in his ability to climb the pocket and extend plays. He was able to keep the Steelers in games and even played through a broken wrist for part of the season. Bringing him back under an offensive-minded coach with a familiar system and better weapons should allow him to continue playing at a high level in 2026. It creates a scenario that has the chance of being even better than last season. 

Despite Owner and Team President Art Rooney II denying the McCarthy hiring had anything to do with trying to lure Rodgers back, the Steelers likely had the connection in the back of their mind. The Steelers have the ability to win now, and having this duo reconnect in the Steel City could be the perfect opportunity for just that. Fans and pundits alike will just have to continue to wait on Rodgers' official decision. 

Steelers' Offense Will Surely Improve

Under McCarthy's system, the Steelers will be much more oriented toward a high-scoring offense -- a thing that had been lacking consistently for years under the previous regime. While Pittsburgh should still have a stout defense with plenty of star power, McCarthy has the opportunity to unlock the offense for the Black and Gold. The Steelers added playmakers like Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle to complement their other stars. McCarthy will call the plays for the offense, and with this additional help, and Rodgers, this side of the ball has the chance of being a strength, finally. 

With all of these enticing moves, the Steelers should feel very good about their offense and bringing back their starter from last season. Rodgers took a while to decide last year, but it seems like with everything the Steelers have done, there seems to be a clear decision at hand. 

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