Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers get a major update on who their 2026 QB could be

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 8:04 AM ET

After hiring Mike McCarthy to take the place of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have to find a quarterback to play for their new leader.

The Steelers had one season with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns), who led them to their first division title since 2020. Rodgers signed a one-year deal to play in the Steel City and was "pretty sure" 2025 would be his only season with the Steelers.

However, with his former head coach calling the shots — Rodgers and McCarthy won Super Bowl XLV in 2010 over the Steelers — Rodgers seems more likely to return to Pittsburgh, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

"My understanding is, the odds are increasing," Pelissero said of Rodgers' chances of playing in 2026 on "NFL GameDay Morning" ahead of Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif. "If he's gonna come back, they need to work out a contract. But at this point, it would not be a surprise if Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh."

Rodgers didn't perform well in the Steelers' playoff game against the Houston Texans, throwing for 146 yards and an interception while taking four sacks.

Steelers reuniting Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy could get them over the hump of a first-round exit

The Steelers have not been to an AFC Championship Game since 2016. 2025 proved to be the same trend, as the Steelers were crushed (30-6) by the Texans in the wild-card round, leading to their continued losing in the playoffs.

However, changing their mindset and going with an offensive-minded coach like McCarthy after years of defensive-minded coaches (Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin) could be a welcome change for the Steelers and their offense, which ranked 25th in the league this past season (305.6 yards). In his last season as Cowboys head coach, McCarthy led them to have the 17th-best offense in 2024 (327.5).

Rodgers still has something left in the tank and is seeking his second Super Bowl ring, which will help put him over the top for the Hall of Fame, but also enter him into the conversation as one of the greatest to play the game.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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