Steelers seem poised to make surprising preseason move with Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers seem poised to make surprising preseason move with Aaron Rodgers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 8:01 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to enter his 22nd NFL season, but even he may benefit from playing in the preseason.

Rodgers spoke to The Athletic's Michael Silver for a story published on Monday. The article detailed how the 42-year-old QB is reconciling with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, whom he played for in 13 of his 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Their relationship reportedly soured before the team fired the Super Bowl-winning coach in 2018, but McCarthy indicated they've moved past those differences after Pittsburgh hired him in January.

As part of those efforts, Silver shared that McCarthy asked Rodgers to play in Pittsburgh's first two preseason games against the Packers (Aug. 13) and New York Jets (Aug. 21). The QB is willing to fulfill the coach's request.

Aaron Rodgers talks potential preseason plans

"He wants me out there for 30 to 40 plays," Rodgers told Silver (h/t Brogan Noey of Steeler Nation). "I said, 'Mike, if you want me to play, I'll play.' I'm not saying I want to do it. But if he wants me to, I will."

McCarthy spoke more about his preseason plans for Rodgers during his Monday news conference. The coach noted he wants the four-time league MVP to play, but he added that he hasn't solidified those plans.

Mike McCarthy on Aaron Rodgers playing in the two preseason home games: "We have plans ... he'd like to play. I'd like to see him play. But we won't make a decision until we get all the way up to it."

McCarthy says there's more than goes into that decision than just one player.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 3, 2026

"We have plans ... he's likely to play. I'd like to see him play," McCarthy said (h/t ESPN's Brooke Pryor). "But we don't have to make a decision until we get all the way up to it."

McCarthy needs to exercise caution when playing an older QB, especially one with an injury history like Rodgers. He hasn't played in the preseason since 2023. That season, he tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1.

Still, the only players who are going full blast in preseason are those on the roster bubble. They usually don't play until late in games, when Rodgers would be sitting on the bench.

It will also give Rodgers time to teach his teammates more about McCarthy's offense in-game. He played in his system for almost half of his career, making him an expert in it.

Rodgers may not love the idea of playing in the preseason. However, he wants to create little drama in what could be his final season, making him more willing to oblige.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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