- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,401
- Reaction score
- 59
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Charlie Batch believes Aaron Rodgers could deliver an even stronger season in 2026 after the quarterback reunited with NFL coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers officially returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million, confirming the 2026 season will be the final year of his NFL career. The move reunites Rodgers with McCarthy, the coach he spent 13 seasons with in Green Bay while winning a Super Bowl and four MVP awards.
Speaking recently with TMZ Sports, Batch said many people overlooked how productive Rodgers actually was during the 2025 season.
“People forget that,” Batch said. “And, of course, I understand around Steelers Nation, they look at the end result, which was the loss in the playoffs to the Texans. And he didn’t play his best game at that particular point. But when you look at overall for the season that he had, it far exceeded anything else that anybody expected around Steelers Nation. That’s why they wanted to run it back with him.”
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Rodgers helped Pittsburgh finish 10-7 and capture the AFC North title despite operating in a run-heavy system. The veteran quarterback threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 94.8 passer rating across 16 starts.
MORE: Malik Nabers’ knee rehab becoming major concern for Giants
Batch pointed directly to McCarthy’s arrival as the biggest reason he expects Rodgers to improve in 2026.
“I think the biggest thing for me, even though you have the additions at the wide receiver group, it’s the offense that is going to be completely different than what he had last year in Arthur Smith’s system,” Batch said.
“Him and Mike McCarthy, they’ve been together for 18 years. He understands this system. So even though he has not been in the offseason program up until this point, he is so far ahead of everybody else because he essentially has a PhD in this offense, something that he’s been able to have four league MVPs.”
That familiarity matters for a Steelers offense that struggled under pressure last season. Rodgers absorbed 29 sacks during the regular season and four more in Pittsburgh’s ugly 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on in a game against the Houston Texans.
The Steelers responded aggressively this offseason by rebuilding the offensive structure around Rodgers. Pittsburgh added wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf, giving Rodgers a far more balanced receiving group than he had in 2025.
Batch believes those additions, combined with McCarthy’s offensive approach, could unlock a more efficient passing attack.
“The Steelers did a really nice job of retooling that offensive side of the ball, getting him some weapons that he didn’t have last year,” Batch said. “I fully expect him to have a better season this year than he did last year.”
MORE: Fernando Mendoza frustrated after being forced to miss practice
So, Pittsburgh’s strategy is clear. The Steelers are pushing aggressively for one final championship run instead of beginning a rebuild.
Continue reading...
Rodgers officially returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million, confirming the 2026 season will be the final year of his NFL career. The move reunites Rodgers with McCarthy, the coach he spent 13 seasons with in Green Bay while winning a Super Bowl and four MVP awards.
Speaking recently with TMZ Sports, Batch said many people overlooked how productive Rodgers actually was during the 2025 season.
“People forget that,” Batch said. “And, of course, I understand around Steelers Nation, they look at the end result, which was the loss in the playoffs to the Texans. And he didn’t play his best game at that particular point. But when you look at overall for the season that he had, it far exceeded anything else that anybody expected around Steelers Nation. That’s why they wanted to run it back with him.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Rodgers helped Pittsburgh finish 10-7 and capture the AFC North title despite operating in a run-heavy system. The veteran quarterback threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 94.8 passer rating across 16 starts.
MORE: Malik Nabers’ knee rehab becoming major concern for Giants
Aaron Rodgers & Mike McCarthy reunion changes everything
Batch pointed directly to McCarthy’s arrival as the biggest reason he expects Rodgers to improve in 2026.
“I think the biggest thing for me, even though you have the additions at the wide receiver group, it’s the offense that is going to be completely different than what he had last year in Arthur Smith’s system,” Batch said.
“Him and Mike McCarthy, they’ve been together for 18 years. He understands this system. So even though he has not been in the offseason program up until this point, he is so far ahead of everybody else because he essentially has a PhD in this offense, something that he’s been able to have four league MVPs.”
That familiarity matters for a Steelers offense that struggled under pressure last season. Rodgers absorbed 29 sacks during the regular season and four more in Pittsburgh’s ugly 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
You must be registered for see images attach
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on in a game against the Houston Texans.
The Steelers responded aggressively this offseason by rebuilding the offensive structure around Rodgers. Pittsburgh added wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf, giving Rodgers a far more balanced receiving group than he had in 2025.
Batch believes those additions, combined with McCarthy’s offensive approach, could unlock a more efficient passing attack.
“The Steelers did a really nice job of retooling that offensive side of the ball, getting him some weapons that he didn’t have last year,” Batch said. “I fully expect him to have a better season this year than he did last year.”
MORE: Fernando Mendoza frustrated after being forced to miss practice
So, Pittsburgh’s strategy is clear. The Steelers are pushing aggressively for one final championship run instead of beginning a rebuild.
Continue reading...
