The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back 4-time NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers, ahead of the 2026 season. After a back-and-forth offseason, the Steelers and Rodgers agreed on a one-year contract up to $25 million, including a guaranteed base salary of $22 million. A-Rod announced at a media presser that this would be his last season in the NFL. With the 42-year-old quarterback returning for one more year, was this the right decision?
Rodgers’ 2025 Steelers Success
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I was excited for the 2025-2026 season. This was the first time since Ben Roethlisberger was still playing that I believed we had competence at quarterback. They haven’t had the same starting QB to begin a season since 2020-2021. The team would come out of the gate on fire and win a high-scoring affair against the New York Jets 34-32, and Rodgers appeared to turn back the clock with four passing TDs.
That would be the high mark of the season, performance-wise. The Steelers would finish with a 10-7 record, 10-6 when Rodgers played. Despite a winning season, he had his worst statistical season, but as he has mentioned before, “down years for me are career years for most quarterbacks.” Aaron would end the season with a 65.7 completion %, 3,322 yards, 24 TDs, and 7 interceptions. The most productive a Steelers quarterback has been for some time.
They would go on to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in the final week of the NFL season and win the AFC North title for the first time since 2020. The team would go on to host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and it was a nip-and-tuck game until the 4th quarter. The score was 7-6 entering the final frame, then the Texans would go on to score two defensive touchdowns and score 23 unanswered points in the quarter. That loss extended the Steelers’ playoff losing streak to five straight Wild Card losses.
Should They Have Brought Rodgers Back?
This was the best chance to compete in the 2026 season and potentially moving forward. Does this mean Rodgers is the quarterback for the future? Absolutely not. However, last season, rookie quarterback Will Howard said on numerous occasions that being around the future Hall of Famer has been beneficial for his development. With the Steelers also picking up Drew Allar in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft, a player as raw as he is could use a player like Rodgers to study and learn from.
I understand that I’m in the minority in believing that bringing him back is the best-case scenario, but look at how the Packers are doing in the Post-Rodgers era. Jordan Love has shown flashes of greatness, and it’s not like he was a no-doubt, blue-chip prospect coming out of Utah State. I could see a similar projection between Love and Allar.
I know most fans are ready to rip the band-aid off and see what they have at quarterback. Either have your young QB stink and get a top pick, or they show flashes, and you have your answer on who to lead your team into the future.
Final Thoughts
When the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, it immediately opened the door to a reunion between Rodgers and Pittsburgh. With the NFL season right around the corner, I can’t wait for the preseason to start and see how this season unfolds! What do you think about the Steelers bringing back Rodgers? Did they make the right move?
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