A son of Pittsburgh is headed home.
Mike McCarthy’s Aaron Rodgers statement left no doubt on if he wants QB back on Steelers next season
New Steelers coach Mike McCarthy ‘definitely’ wants Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made it official on Tuesday, introducing Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. In the minutes after the announcement, McCarthy released an emotional statement, referencing “the colors you’ve worn since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital” and how “Pittsburgh is my world.”
Then came the press conference, and the question that is on everyone’s mind.
Where does this leave Aaron Rodgers?
McCarthy did not mince words.
He did not stop there, as McCarthy went on to say that he “watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
McCarthy went on to address the rest of the quarterback room, noting that he is “really excited about Will Howard.” Pittsburgh drafted Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, at pick No. 185.
But the focus in the coming days, weeks, and likely months, will be on Rodgers.
Obviously there is history here, as the two men won a Super Bowl together during their time as coach and quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. But the Rodgers we saw this past season is not the Rodgers that we saw in the run up to Super Bowl XLV, not by a long shot. Rodgers posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of 6.28, just above league average this past season. He also threw seven interceptions, and has thrown 30 interceptions over his last three full seasons.
McCarthy conceded that Rodgers may need some time to make his decision, noting that with veteran players they need time to “step away and decompress” before making a decision. “Knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons, I think when players, to see Mel Blount here, when guys are up at that stage of their career, they need time to step away and decompress.
“I think that’s very important.”
So, if you thought you would be spared an offseason of “will he or won’t he” regarding Aaron Rodgers when it comes to the Steelers — or to football in general — guess again.
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