Mike McCarthy Shares Aaron Rodgers' Unusual Offseason Routine

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 12:07 PM ET

Will Aaron Rodgers return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season? That's one of the top questions heading into free agency.

Rodgers, a four-time MVP, reminded fans this past season that he's still capable of performing at a high level. He completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Even though Rodgers joined the Steelers because of Mike Tomlin, the veteran coach's departure won't necessarily dictate his decision this offseason. After all, the Steelers hired a familiar face in Mike McCarthy, who coached Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers from 2006-2018.

During an appearance on ESPN Milwaukee this past Friday, McCarthy was asked about Rodgers' plans for the 2026 season. He said they've had "healthy communication" up to this point.

"It always points back to healthy communication, and there definitely has been that," McCarthy said, via SB Nation. "We’ll see what the future holds. But we’re definitely preparing for both scenarios."

McCarthy then revealed that Rodgers has been spending his offseason on the slopes.

"He’s going through his normal offseason routine," the Steelers coach continued. "He’s been doing some skiing of late; which, I didn’t realize he was into that. … He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026.© Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Will Rodgers return for another season?

ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor recently said that it is “more likely than not” that Rodgers returns to the Steelers. CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, however, reported different information during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

“Having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule,” Kinkhabwala said, via Steelers Depot. “In conversations with people who were around him all year who were with him when he was leaving the Steelers when the season was over, all of those people that I spoke to said that it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”

Clearly, NFL fans will just have to wait for an actual update from Rodgers. Anything else is just outside noise at this stage in the offseason.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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