Steelers’ Mike McCarthy Breaks Silence on Aaron Rodgers 2026 Decision

The Pittsburgh Steelers are publicly conveying patience with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the decision he has to make about the 2026 NFL season. That didn’t change when Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy addressed Rodgers on Monday.

McCarthy spoke out on the quarterback and Rodgers’s free agency decision at former Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan’s celebration of life to begin this week. The head coach shared his answer with Harlan’s son and NFL broadcaster Kevin Harlan.

“It’d be a great story, McCarthy said of coaching Rodgers in Pittsburgh, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “I don’t know [if he’s going to play], and I would love to tell everybody breaking news.

“But it’s really cool to see Aaron at 42. To see a young man at 22 and all of what he’s been able to accomplish, and where he’s at in his personal life and trying to make the decision.

“He’s in a really good place.”

McCarthy served as Rodgers’s head coach with the Green Bay Packers for the first 13 seasons of the signal-caller’s career. During that time, Rodgers two MVP awards and his Super Bowl title.

With that in mind, it would be fitting for Rodgers to end his career playing again for McCarthy.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb