Mike McCarthy Thinks Reuniting With Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh Would Be A “Great Story”

Mike McCarthy carefully avoided giving a proper answer about Aaron Rodgers' return to the Steelers.

Mike McCarthy Thinks Reuniting With Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh Would Be A “Great Story”

Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Mike McCarthy believes a reunion with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh would be a compelling narrative.
  • Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers and had a productive first season, throwing 24 touchdowns.
  • Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. expressed confidence in Rodgers' desire to continue playing at age 42.

Ever since Mike McCarthy took over as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, one question has been on every football fan’s mind: Will Aaron Rodgers return, too? It only makes sense for the iconic Green Bay Packers duo to reunite with a franchise they once defeated to win the team’s most recent Super Bowl ring.

Naturally, the media is waiting for a scoop on Rodgers to slip out from anywhere. For instance, McCarthy attended Kevin Harlan’s father, Bob Harlan’s, celebration of life at Lambeau Field on Monday, when the broadcaster sneaked in a question about Rodgers. McCarthy masterfully delivered his answer without ever revealing anything. McCarthy replied to Harlan’s inquiry:

Yes. It’d be a great story. I don’t know. And I would love to tell everybody there’s some breaking news.

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers before the 2025 training camp. The 42-year-old played 16 games in his first year in Pittsburgh. Rodgers racked up 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Steelers qualified for the wildcard round, where they lost 30-6 against the Houston Texans.

It’s really cool to see Aaron at 42. You see, a young man at 22 and all that he’s been able to accomplish, and you know, where he’s at in his personal life, and trying to make this decision.

Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 years together in Green Bay. McCarthy went 125-77-2 in the regular season, and 10-8 in the playoffs, including a Super Bowl win against the Steelers. Rodgers established himself as one of the best quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL. The four-time NFL MVP had more than 42,000 yards and 338 touchdowns in that span for the Packers.

New Steelers wide receiver gives positive update about Aaron Rodgers’ return

The Steelers made several key signings in the first few weeks of free agency, bringing in Jamel Dean and Rico Dowdle. That said, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.‘s addition is by far the biggest purchase for the Steelers this year.

Mike McCarthy Thinks Reuniting With Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh Would Be A "Great Story"
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Pittsburgh acquired Pittman from the Colts for just a late-round pick swap in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittman is the type of receiver Rodgers would love to throw the ball to. The 6-foot-4 wideout has one of the safest pairs of hands in the league, racking up 25 touchdowns and 5245 yards in his six-year spell with the Indianapolis Colts.

Pittman signed a three-year, $59 million contract and is looking forward to receiving passes from the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Pittman Jr. said on the Up & Adams show:

The fact that he’s still out doing like flag football stuff, and all that, I think that he wants to play. Just knowing Aaron prior to this, I just think that he’s going to try to play for as long as he can, so, he’s a beast.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers no longer have the same doubts about Rodgers that they did before last season began. That’s because Rodgers proved that even at 42, he can still sling the ball. Dulac wrote:

[Aaron Rodgers] convinced them otherwise when he threw 24 touchdowns, had just seven interceptions, led them to a division title, and missed only one game with an injury [broken wrist]. That despite having the fewest pass attempts when he’s played at least 16 games in his career.

Rodgers will eventually make his decision soon enough. If he does not return, then the Steelers have the option to trade for Mac Jones from the 49ers.

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