Since at least February, numerous local and national reporters have insisted that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return to the Pittsburgh Steelers to serve as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
However, Rodgers remains an available free agent through the second half of March. During a Monday event related to honoring former Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan, current Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about likely working with Rodgers for the second time in their lengthy careers.
Mike McCarthy: Aaron Rodgers is “in a really good place” amid uncertainty
“Yes, it’d be a great story,” McCarthy said about a possible reunion with Rodgers, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “I don’t know. I would love to tell everybody breaking news. It’s really cool to see Aaron at 42, a young man at 22, all that he’s been able to accomplish, and where he’s at in his personal life, trying to make this decision. He’s in a really good place.”
McCarthy was Rodgers’ head coach when they were employed by the Packers from 2006 through a portion of the 2018 season. Earlier in March, Rodgers shared that he has “so much love for Mike and appreciation for the time we spent together.” Thus, many understandably have assumed Rodgers won’t leave McCarthy without a proven quarterback on the Pittsburgh roster in McCarthy’s first year with the organization.
Is Kirk Cousins waiting to see what Aaron Rodgers does?
Nevertheless, recent whispers have hinted that some within the Steelers could view former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins as somewhat of an emergency option in the event that Rodgers retires. As of March 24, longtime backup Mason Rudolph and unproven 2025 rookie Will Howard are the top quarterbacks on Pittsburgh’s depth chart.
“I don’t think Kirk Cousins is waiting, but I do think he’s following and watching because I do think if Aaron decides that he doesn’t want to play, that Kirk Cousins would be a logical pivot for the Pittsburgh Steelers at that point in time,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said during a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” per Chris Franklin of NJ Advance Media.
It was also hinted on Monday that the Steelers are giving Rodgers all the “time that he needs” to decide about playing. If the two sides have a handshake agreement in place, they’re keeping it a secret for whatever reason.