New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy offered some vague, but entertaining updates on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s NFL future in a radio interview with ESPN Milwaukee on Friday.
“It always points back to healthy communication, and there definitely has been that,” McCarthy said when asked about how the two sides would be moving forward. “We’ll see what the future holds. But we’re definitely preparing for both scenarios.”
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McCarthy was then asked if Rodgers had at least expressed interest in returning. McCarthy chuckled. “He’s going through his normal offseason routine,” he said. “He’s been doing some skiing of late; which, I didn’t realize he was into that. … He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing”
Rodgers’ decision has been the subject of much reporting and speculation in recent weeks. Upon being hired by the Steelers in January, McCarthy sounded like he wanted to reunite with the passer he coached in Green Bay. “Definitely; I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” he said in his introductory press conference when asked if he wanted Rodgers back. But even then, he noted that the decision would take time: “When guys are up in that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress.”
Rodgers initially joined the Steelers on a one-year deal in June of 2025. But while his decision-making process dragged out in the eyes of the public, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer later reported that the team was confident Rodgers would sign well before he officially put pen to paper.
Rodgers and McCarthy go back even further than the veteran quarterback did with Tomlin, so it could be a repeat of the 2025 offseason when it comes to Rodgers re-signing. However, with the draft and free agency rapidly approaching, the Steelers will have to start making moves or non-moves at the quarterback position.
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McCarthy, as expected, didn’t reveal too many details regarding where the Steelers and Rodgers stand entering the new season. But he did also mention veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward late in the interview, mentioning he’s had “the same conversation” with the longtime defensive captain who’s entering the last year of his Pittsburgh contract and age-37 season.
“There’s definitely a decompressing period that goes on with the older guys,” McCarthy said, “and that’s where we are.”
