Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Was Seriously Passed On By 1 NFC Team In 2025 Based On His Inability To Mentor

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a veteran starting quarterback run out of the tunnel and lead the team in 2026. There's finally some continuity with Aaron Rodgers ready for year two in the Steel City. After a fiasco similar to 2025, but not quite as long, Rodgers finally signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. The future Hall of Famer will play his last season in the league, now paired with his head coach from his Green Bay days, Mike McCarthy. Rodgers could have a poetic end to his career surrounded by some former teammates and coaches, but winning is the most important part, and the Steelers' brass have ensured that the roster is constructed to contend. 

Before signing with Pittsburgh in 2025, Rodgers was considered by multiple teams for his services. He thought long and hard about his career, even taking some of his infamous darkness retreats to aid the decision-making. Rodgers took until June to sign in 2025, finally deciding on playing for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Rodgers was expected to do what he did best: win football games and bring the energy and intensity he's known for. 

Now that Pittsburgh is gearing up for his retirement after the 2026 season, it has addressed the quarterback position by drafting Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 Draft, and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard is making his mark, too. Rodgers has had some young quarterbacks behind him in years past, but his mentoring skills are extremely valuable now that he's in the Black and Gold. There was a team that was interested in Rodgers in 2025, which wasn't sold on his mentoring abilities; however, Rodgers has flipped the script. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote about this in a recent article. 

"The Vikings reportedly shied away from Aaron Rodgers in 2025 due in part to the impact of his freelancing style on the ability of J.J. McCarthy to learn from him. The Steelers are embracing the things Rodgers can teach rookie Drew Allar. As Allar tells it, Rodgers is... With Rodgers the clear starter for 2026, it makes sense for Allar to soak up everything he can. Rodgers admittedly is in his last year; there’s no reason to keep any of his cards close to the vest," Florio wrote. 

Rodgers has told the media that he will be a mentor to Allar and Howard as much as they want him to be. Allar, being a rather raw prospect, should be welcoming the help with open arms, and he already has. 

Allar has spoken out about how much he's picked up from Rodgers so far. He was asked in his media availability after an Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice. 

"With me, specifically, he’s pulled me aside during practice to talk through some drill work or things to focus on through different drills," Allar said. "In the film room, [he’s] just asking me questions about what I was seeing, what I was looking at, and why. [He’s] giving me a lot of good knowledge. I’m really excited to keep learning from him. Obviously, he’s one of the best to ever do it in this game. So the opportunity I have is one I’m not going to take for granted."

Allar's statement completely contradicts what the Vikings thought of Rodgers. They weren't willing to take the chance on him and have been stuck without a true starting quarterback. This is a great sign in the Steelers' hopes to develop their young talent. 

The Steelers Are Set For Quarterback Development  

Having Rodgers as a mentor figure and an extension of the coaching staff is one positive, but in general, the team is built to aid a young signal-caller. Between "quarterback whisperer" McCarthy and guys like Brian Angelichio and Tom Arth, there are plenty of great minds ready to coach up the next quarterback.

Pittsburgh has to turn the tables; taking a chance on a young gunslinger is needed. The team is set up for it, and it could be the difference-maker in finding the next franchise quarterback. 

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