The Pittsburgh Steelers could run it back with Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, 42, has spoken with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy multiple times about the possibility of returning in 2026, according to NFL Media, which reported Sunday that “the odds are increasing.”
McCarthy was Rodgers’ head coach with the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18, and the pair won a Super Bowl together following the 2010 season.
Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2025, his first season with the Steelers. Pittsburgh went 10-7 and won the AFC North before losing in blowout fashion to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
McCarthy, who replaced Mike Tomlin as Steelers head coach after the latter stepped down last month, said at his introductory press conference that he “definitely” would like to see Rodgers return.
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy said, adding, “I watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
Last season served as a bounce back for Rodgers after a disappointing, injury-plagued two-year stint with the Jets.
After the Jets released Rodgers last March, the quarterback contemplated his future before signing a one-year contract with Pittsburgh in June.
Rodgers said on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” before last season that he was “pretty sure” it would be his last.
But Rodgers was non-committal following last month’s season-ending loss, saying, “I’m not going to make any emotional decisions.”
Rodgers finished the season feeling refreshed and in a better place than he was after his years with the Jets, ESPN reported Sunday.
Returning would mean a 22nd season for Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP who ranks fourth all time in passing touchdowns (527) and fifth in passing yards (66,274).
The Steelers hope Rodgers makes a decision before free agency begins on March 11, according to NFL Media.
Pittsburgh is among the teams expected to be in the market for a veteran quarterback, with the Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons among the others.
The available quarterbacks are expected to include the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, whose current teams plan to pursue trade partners, ESPN reported.
Tagovailoa went 6-8 and threw 15 interceptions in 14 starts before he was benched for the Dolphins’ final three games of 2025. Miami is reportedly willing to pay some of the 27-year-old’s contract, which has two years remaining, including $54 million guaranteed in 2026.
Murray, meanwhile, played in only five games in 2025 before he was shut down with a foot injury.
The dual-threat Murray has three years remaining on his five-year, $230.5 million contract, but he is just 38-48-1 over seven NFL seasons.
The Cardinals (3-14) hold the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, though this class is largely devoid of top-flight quarterback prospects.
Another potentially available quarterback is Derek Carr, who retired after the 2024 season due to a right shoulder injury.
But Carr’s shoulder reportedly responded so well with extended rest that he has no limitations, according to NFL Media, which reported the 34-year-old could now consider coming out of retirement.
Carr’s contract rights remain with the New Orleans Saints, whom he played for in 2023-24. But the Saints appear poised to move forward with Tyler Shough at quarterback after a promising rookie season.
The Jets were suitors for Carr during his 2023 free agency. Carr later said on the “Pardon My Take” podcast that he “could have” signed with the Jets before they traded for Rodgers later that offseason.
Carr attributed his interest in the Jets to his affinity for Robert Saleh, whom the Jets fired as head coach during the 2024 season. Last month, the Tennessee Titans hired Saleh for the same role.
