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The drama surrounding a potential return to the Pittsburgh Steelers continues. Rodgers just wrapped up his 21st season in the NFL this past year, and his first with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A major reason he signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, despite retirement being an option, was Mike Tomlin, the longtime Steelers head coach. And with Tomlin stepping down at the end of last season, Rodgers has been quiet on what comes next for his career.
Retirement will be considered every year at his age, but the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as Tomlin's replacement, who Rodgers spent 13 seasons with in Green Bay, a stint which saw the Packers make nine playoff appearances and win Super Bowl XLV, and Rodgers win two NFL MVP awards. If he wants to reunite with any coach for one more go-round, other than Tomlin, McCarthy is a likely candidate. Which might be why Tomlin thinks Rodgers will inevitably return to the Steelers.
Tomlin made his debut on NBC's Football Night in America on Sunday, marking the first time since it was announced he'd join the show this season as an analyst. He was asked who he thinks will be the Steelers' quarterback in 2026.
"If you put a gun to my head, I'd say it's AR." Tomlin said.
"I just think Aaron, being around him for the 12 months I was around him, he's got a love affair with the game of football. And not only the game, but the process. The informal moments of development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates. I think he has an addiction to that, and there's only one way to feed it. And certainly, he is still capable and in really good shape. So I think at the end of the day, he'll play football."
It's hard to imagine anyone in the NFL knows Rodgers' current mindset at this stage of his career better than Tomlin, who coached him through last season. And while you don't want to count your chickens before they hatch, if he thinks Rodgers will return to the Steel City, it might be the best indication yet that the veteran signal caller will take the field for his 22nd season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Mike Tomlin makes bold prediction on Aaron Rodgers' 2026 plans
Continue reading...
Retirement will be considered every year at his age, but the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as Tomlin's replacement, who Rodgers spent 13 seasons with in Green Bay, a stint which saw the Packers make nine playoff appearances and win Super Bowl XLV, and Rodgers win two NFL MVP awards. If he wants to reunite with any coach for one more go-round, other than Tomlin, McCarthy is a likely candidate. Which might be why Tomlin thinks Rodgers will inevitably return to the Steelers.
Mike Tomlin makes Football Night in America debut and talks potential Aaron Rodgers return
Tomlin made his debut on NBC's Football Night in America on Sunday, marking the first time since it was announced he'd join the show this season as an analyst. He was asked who he thinks will be the Steelers' quarterback in 2026.
"If you put a gun to my head, I'd say it's AR." Tomlin said.
"I just think Aaron, being around him for the 12 months I was around him, he's got a love affair with the game of football. And not only the game, but the process. The informal moments of development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates. I think he has an addiction to that, and there's only one way to feed it. And certainly, he is still capable and in really good shape. So I think at the end of the day, he'll play football."
It's hard to imagine anyone in the NFL knows Rodgers' current mindset at this stage of his career better than Tomlin, who coached him through last season. And while you don't want to count your chickens before they hatch, if he thinks Rodgers will return to the Steel City, it might be the best indication yet that the veteran signal caller will take the field for his 22nd season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Mike Tomlin makes bold prediction on Aaron Rodgers' 2026 plans
Continue reading...
