Earlier this off-season, former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was hired to the same position by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ironically, the Steelers were the team the Packers beat in Super Bowl XLV when McCarthy was the head coach in Green Bay.
It marked the first new head coaching hire in Pittsburgh in nearly two decades, as Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 years at the helm.
Of course, the hire of McCarthy furthered discussion as to whether or not former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, would return to Pittsburgh for another season. He played for the Steelers in 2025 in what was his 21st professional season. As has been the case for the past several years, he has been spending the off-season contemplating whether or not he wants to return for another season.
Former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to play in 2026
Many people, including the Steelers themselves, probably hoped that Rodgers would make his decision before the 2026 NFL Draft. Of course, he did not. However, McCarthy told reporters that he was in regular contact with the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
On Thursday, it was reported that Rodgers is arriving in Pittsburgh soon and is expected to sign with them over the weekend:
While the #Steelers gave Rodgers the UFA tender, that’s considered a place holder. Hard to imagine he plays for $15M, which is why a deal must be worked out and finalized. But finality is coming soon, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 7, 2026
Earlier this off-season the Steelers placed a rare veteran unrestricted free agent tender, giving them the right to match any salary Rodgers might have been offered by any other NFL team. The tender is worth $15 million, though Ian Rapoport seems to think that he will sign for less should he truly decide to play again in 2026.
Last year, Rodgers made $13.65 million in his first season with Pittsburgh.
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