Mike McCarthy makes a telling admission about Aaron Rodgers' role with the Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mike McCarthy makes a telling admission about Aaron Rodgers' role with the Steelers

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Sep 7, 2026 8:28 PM ET

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Mike McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh this offseason and brought back Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback he coached for 13 seasons in Green Bay, for his second season. The Steelers finished 16th in scoring last season, a sixth straight year outside the top 10.

McCarthy was asked on Monday's news conference how involved Rodgers has been in designing the offense.

"Constant collaboration. I think it goes back to where my experience and training comes from, coming from the quarterback room. I made this statement back in the beginning when he was signed, when he returned: we built this offense around his experience. We made terminology changes, and by no means do we want to slow him down. We're talking about a wealth of experience, talent, production, and I think it'd be foolish for me not to tap right into that. So that has been the focus since we started this," McCarthy said.

Mike McCarthy on the involvement of Aaron Rodgers in designing the Steelers' offense this season:

"Constant collaboration...we built this offense around his experience. We've made terminology changes. By no means do we want to slow him down...that has been the focus."… pic.twitter.com/sGSGhQgP4F
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) September 7, 2026

How much has actually changed for Aaron Rodgers?

Rodgers described the same overlap in July, telling TribLive's Chris Adamski that he spent 13 years in McCarthy's offense and that the concepts are the ones they used to run, called something different now after McCarthy's five years in Dallas.

Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch has said McCarthy wants his offense at the line within 15 seconds of the previous snap, a pace that would change how often the defense is on the field.

Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, led Pittsburgh to a 10-6 finish and its first AFC North title in five years, then lost to Houston in the wild-card round. He returned on a one-year deal paying between $22 million and $23 million in base salary, with incentives to $25 million, and has said this will be his final season.

The receiving group was rebuilt around him, with Michael Pittman Jr. arriving by trade and Germie Bernard drafted in the second round. Rodgers has said the offense still has to find ways to get DK Metcalf the ball more often.