Aaron Rodgers has made up his mind and will play football this season. On Saturday evening, the legendary QB agreed to a one-year, $22 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that can increase to $25 million with incentives.
Rodgers will now reunite with Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who coached him during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy coached Rodgers on the Packers from 2006 to 2018, and the pair even won a Super Bowl together against… the Steelers! Back in 2011, Green Bay defeated Pittsburgh 31-25 in Super Bowl 45 and Rodgers took home Super Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
Aaron Rodgers’ Signing Prompts Plenty of Reactions From NFL World
Once news of Rodgers re-signing with Pittsburgh broke, the NFL world had plenty to say. Many of the reactions focused on Rodgers and McCarthy teaming up once again.
FanDuel’s account on X posted a photo of Rodgers and McCarthy when they were with the Packers.
“Aaron Rodgers & Mike McCarthy … TOGETHER AGAIN,” the account wrote.
Aaron Rodgers & Mike McCarthy
TOGETHER AGAIN 🖤💛#NFL | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/Y6rFpVC3tc
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) May 16, 2026
Sports journalist AJ Goncalves didn’t seem to feel too good about Rodgers coming back for yet another season with the Steelers.
“Another year of pain and suffering watching the Steelers with Rodgers at the helm,” he posted on X.
Another year of pain and suffering watching the Steelers with Rodgers at the helm
— AJ Goncalves (@AJISDAWAY) May 16, 2026
NFL nfluencer Annie Agar, who is a Packers fan, summed up her thoughts with a three-word post on X.
“there it is,” Agar wrote, as the news of Rodgers’ return felt inevitable for some time.
there it is https://t.co/t9hNxYlWg7
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) May 16, 2026
Kevin Adams, who is a co-host on the Barstool Sports’ “Steel Here” podcast, also offered his thoughts about Rodgers re-signing with Pittsburgh.
“Well. The fan in me realizes this is their best chance to win THIS year. The realist knows it’s unlikely,” Adams posted on X. “But I’ll still lie to myself and think that maybe, just maybe Aaron and McCarthy can make magic just one more season. But please let this be it for the old Steelers QB’s.”
Well. The fan in me realizes this is their best chance to win THIS year. The realist knows it’s unlikely. But I’ll still lie to myself and think that maybe, just maybe Aaron and McCarthy can make magic just one more season.
But please let this be it for the old Steelers QB’s. https://t.co/Dr2fAXFIYY
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) May 16, 2026
One influencer posted a GIF showing Rodgers and McCarthy together from their stint with the Packers.
“12 taking one last ride with big Mike (McCarthy)… Love to see it,” they posted on X.
12 taking one last ride with big Mike
Love to see it https://t.co/qQjq0CnN53 pic.twitter.com/uspsx0hFBW
— Hogg (@HoggNFL) May 16, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also had some thoughts about Rodgers coming back to the Steel City for one more season.
“Aaron Rodgers makes the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North title and Super Bowl contenders,” Griffin posted on X before listing Rodgers’ supporting cast with Pittsburgh, including DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, and Rico Dowdle.
Aaron Rodgers makes the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North title and Super Bowl contenders.
WR
-DK Metcalf
-Michael Pittman Jr
-Germie BernardTE
-Darnel Washington
-Pat FreiermuthRB
-Jaylen Warren
-Rico Dowdle pic.twitter.com/C8JLDKeIRD— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 17, 2026
While there might be warm feelings about Rodgers rejoining McCarthy with the Steelers, it’s worth noting that they went through a bit of a messy breakup toward the end of their time with the Packers.
According to a 2019 report from the New York Post, one anonymous Packers teammate of Rodgers indicated that the QB’s relationship with McCarthy had become “a large cancer in the locker room.” That comment came on the heels of Green Bay’s second straight losing season.
Additionally, the report stated that Rodgers undermined McCarthy all the time and felt that he was “a low IQ coach,” citing a source close to Rodgers. It’s unclear if this report exaggerated the tension between Rodgers and McCarthy or if the two have since mended their relationship.
Last season, Rodgers was the 29th-ranked quarterback in the NFL according to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, finishing with a QB Impact score of 71.1. This ranked just ahead of like Kirk Cousins (70.9), Michael Penix Jr. (69.9), and Bryce Young (68.9).
In 16 games last year, Rodgers totaled 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. The Steelers reached the NFL playoffs before losing to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.
Rodgers has had a legendary NFL career and the four-time NFL MVP is widely regarded as one of the best QBs in league history.
