It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but Aaron Rodgers‘ last memory in the NFL shouldn’t be that crushing pick-six against Houston last season playoffs. That 30-6 blowout wasn’t just another loss; it was the franchise’s sixth consecutive playoff defeat, a drought that ultimately ended the Mike Tomlin era. After 19 years without a losing season, a record that will likely stand the test of time, Tomlin’s 8-12 playoff resume finally caught up to him.
The plot thickens with the arrival of Mike McCarthy as the new head coach in Pittsburgh. The irony isn’t lost on anyone: McCarthy’s Super Bowl ring with Green Bay came at the expense of Tomlin’s Steelers back in 2010. Now, McCarthy must decide if he wants to run it back with Rodgers for a 14th season together.
We aren’t looking at the “Prime” Rodgers who won four MVPs, though. At 42, Rodgers hasn’t eclipsed 4,000 passing yards or 30 touchdowns since 2021. The question isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about whether there’s any magic left in that right arm.
Beyond the Steel City: Why Arizona and Cleveland Fall Short as Rodgers’ Suitors
As the 2026 offseason heats up, rumors of Rodgers heading elsewhere have begun to circulate, but the logic often falls apart upon closer inspection. The Arizona Cardinals are frequently mentioned in predictions due to their desperate need for a quarterback reset, but the fit is questionable at best. Rodgers has a “win-now” mentality that doesn’t mesh with a Cardinals roster that looks like one of the worst units in the NFC.
Other potential landing spots present similar hurdles:
- The New Orleans Saints: While they could push for a veteran, head coach Kellen Moore seems more invested in developing Tyler Shough after his strong finish to last season.
- The Cleveland Browns: Despite their perennial search for a signal-caller, Cleveland lacks the high-end offensive weapons Rodgers needs to succeed at this stage of his career. Add in the franchise’s losing history, and it’s a hard sell for a man chasing one last ring.
Ultimately, Pittsburgh remains the only destination that offers Rodgers a combination of elite weapons (Pittman Jr.), a familiar coach (McCarthy), and a defense capable of keeping games close. If Rodgers wants to erase the memory of that Houston pick-six, the path back to the Super Bowl almost certainly runs through the AFC North.
The McCarthy-Rodgers Reunion: Can a Green Bay Past Save Pittsburgh’s Future?
While the connection between McCarthy and Rodgers is the obvious storyline, the Steelers’ front office has actually done some heavy lifting to make this roster attractive. The offense looks significantly more dangerous than last year with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. However, the quarterback room remains a mess of uncertainty.
Currently, the depth chart features Mason Rudolph, who has proven to be a reliable but average backup, and Will Howard. Howard, the 2024 National Champion, is clearly the future in the Steel City, but the consensus is that he needs one more year of seasoning.
Sitting behind Rodgers could be the perfect “graduate school” for Howard, allowing him to step in only if the 42-year-old veteran falters. For the Steelers, the mission is clear: break the playoff curse now, or risk wasting a revamped offensive core while Howard waits in the wings.
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