After legendary head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff elimination, the franchise that values consistency found itself in uncharted waters. The Steelers have been lucky enough to have an HC in place since 2007, but things change after Tomlin’s departure.
With some great HC candidates available, it seems the Steelers have gone with the safest option: former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy. With this hire, speculation arose over McCarthy’s time coaching QB Aaron Rodgers, whose deal with the Steelers expires this offseason. Could a reunion be in the works?
NFL World Theorizes Aaron Rodgers’ Return to Pittsburgh
With the history McCarthy and Rodgers share, it makes too much sense that the Steelers’ new head coach would want some familiarity in his first year. With Pittsburgh needing a QB, it could very well happen.
Here is how the rest of the NFL World reacted to the hire:
Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt pointed out, “Would bet Aaron Rodgers comes back now too. He’s wanted a reunion with McCarthy.”
Would bet Aaron Rodgers comes back now too. He’s wanted a reunion with McCarthy. https://t.co/QExb0tMOW9
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 24, 2026
NFL Insider Jonathan Jones said, “This surely puts Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh back into play. Steelers don’t have great options staring at them at QB without Rodgers.”
This surely puts Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh back into play. Steelers don’t have great options staring at them at QB without Rodgers. https://t.co/IzOlbogdWL
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 24, 2026
“Mike McCarthy gets the rare third head coaching gig. Headed back home to Pittsburgh.” Another NFL Insider, Mike Garafolo, mentioned.
Mike McCarthy gets the rare third head coaching gig. Headed back home to Pittsburgh. https://t.co/BV2KibxdIT
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 24, 2026
Tom Pelissero explained the QB situation in Pittsburgh, “Mike McCarthy has been one of the NFL’s foremost QB developers, from the late-career spikes of Rich Gannon and Brett Favre to the leaps taken by Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. In Pittsburgh, he’ll have Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, a possible draft pick, and – maybe – Rodgers again.”
Mike McCarthy has been one of the NFL’s foremost QB developers, from the late-career spikes of Rich Gannon and Brett Favre to the leaps taken by Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. In Pittsburgh, he’ll have Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, a possible draft pick and – maybe – Rodgers… https://t.co/n9ItGhwBRK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 24, 2026
However, Denver Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright was surprised by the Steelers’ decision to hire McCarthy. He wrote, “I really thought this one was gonna be Chris Shula. That’s the first real eye-opener so far.”
I really thought this one was gonna be Chris Shula. That’s the first real eye-opener so far. https://t.co/PMcfNEZdbu
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) January 24, 2026
With the hire complete, time will tell whether it is the right decision, or, even before that, what is going to happen at QB for the Steelers.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Rodgers finished last season as the 29th-ranked quarterback in the league with an impact score of 71.4 and was graded C-.
Will they go with a young option to utilize McCarthy’s talent for developing QBs, or, as many speculate, will they go with Rodgers?
