As recently as last week, a report revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers “want quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return for 2026” and are “in no hurry” for Rodgers to inform them of his plans following the hiring of Mike McCarthy as their head coach.
During Monday’s edition of the ESPN “Get Up” program, former NFL general manager and current analyst Mike Tannenbaum offered a stern warning for the Steelers regarding their Rodgers-related hopes.
Steelers should “clearly” make this Aaron Rodgers decision?
“I would clearly move on from him,” Tannenbaum said about how Pittsburgh should handle Rodgers potentially testing free agency when the new league year opens on March 11, per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “Look, last year they were 25th in the league in explosive play rate. He is obviously an all-time great player, Aaron Rodgers is, but he’s gonna be 43 in December. You have a new head coach. Give Will Howard a chance as [fellow ESPN personality Domonique Foxworth] mentioned, and then go scour.”
Tannenbaum suggested that the Steelers could target either current Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray or Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins. Murray seemingly has several red flags hovering over his status this winter, while Cousins may prefer to return to the Minnesota Vikings in March.
Pro Football Reference stats show that Rodgers finished this past regular season ranked 30th in the league among qualified players with a 44.4 adjusted QBR, 14th with a 94.8 passer rating and 15th with 3,322 passing yards. Over 16 games, he tossed 24 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Rodgers dealt with a reported small fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist that he suffered in Week 11 of this season. Meanwhile, Howard suffered a hand injury during training camp last summer and ultimately took zero meaningful in-game snaps as a rookie.
Rodgers had McCarthy as a head coach with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through much of the 2018 season. It’s no secret that McCarthy and multiple Pittsburgh players want Rodgers to run it back with the Steelers for at least one more campaign. Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw recently shared that he had heard Rodgers previously said he plans to be Pittsburgh’s QB1 this coming fall. Tannenbaum is not a fan of that plan as it pertains to the Steelers’ best interests.
Should Steelers “start fresh” without Aaron Rodgers?
“Rodgers is really a bridge quarterback,” Tannenbaum continued, “and if you’re in year one with Mike McCarthy, start fresh and bring in competition with Will Howard.”
Barring a surprising development, those running the Steelers will likely ignore Tannenbaum’s advice unless Rodgers rides off into the sunset of retirement or signs elsewhere as a free agent.