As the Pittsburgh Steelers wait, voices close to Aaron Rodgers are starting to weigh in. Rodgers still hasn’t made a decision about his future, but the pressure around him continues to build. One of his longtime friends has a very clear opinion on what should happen next.
What A.J. Hawk Is Telling Aaron Rodgers About the Steelers and Mike McCarthy
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” former Packers linebacker and Rodgers’ close friend A.J. Hawk shared what he’s been telling the veteran quarterback.
“I’ve been sending him texts telling him, hey, you gotta go back,” Hawk said. “He needs to play for Big Mike.”
That message connects Rodgers to his former coach in Green Bay, head coach Mike McCarthy. The two spent over a decade together and won a Super Bowl, building one of the most successful quarterback-coach partnerships of their era.
“I’ve been sending Aaron Rodgers texts that he needs to go back to Pittsburgh..
He needs to play for Big Mike” ~ @OfficialAJHawk #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1ICm8VssWA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 23, 2026
A reunion in Pittsburgh would bring that familiarity back into play at a time when Rodgers is weighing how much longer he wants to continue his career.
How Aaron Rodgers’ Timeline Impacts the Steelers’ Offseason
Rodgers’ future remains the biggest storyline in Pittsburgh. After arriving from the New York Jets, he delivered a solid season, finishing with a 71.4 grade in PFSN’s Quarterback Impact Metric. That level of play showed he can still operate at a starting level, even as he moves deeper into his 40s.
At the same time, the timeline is unclear. Rodgers has taken a patient approach before, and another delayed decision would not be surprising. That leaves the Steelers in a holding pattern as they build out the rest of the roster.
New Steelers receiver Michael Pittman Jr. offered some insight into how the locker room is viewing the situation. He believes Rodgers still wants to keep playing.
“The fact that he’s still out doing like flag football stuff… I think that he wants to play,” Pittman said. “Just knowing Aaron prior to this, I think that he’s going to try and play as long as he can.”
That expectation aligns with Hawk’s push for a return. Both comments point toward the same outcome, even if Rodgers has not confirmed it himself.
Pittsburgh’s Quarterback Options if Aaron Rodgers Retires
Pittsburgh is not without alternatives. The team has young quarterback Will Howard on the roster, along with Mason Rudolph, giving them internal options if Rodgers decides to step away.
Howard, in particular, represents a longer-term path. Another season learning behind Rodgers could accelerate his development and give the Steelers greater clarity at the position going forward.
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Rodgers’ presence would also shift the team’s timeline. With him under center, Pittsburgh can continue operating in win-now mode while delaying a major investment in a rookie quarterback.
Hawk’s message cuts through Rodgers’ silence. Go back. Play for a coach you know. Keep it going. Rodgers still has the final say. The Steelers are waiting for it.
