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The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting to hear from Aaron Rodgers about his plans for the 2026 season. Their new coach? He’s already thinking about what it would mean if his former quarterback returns.
Mike McCarthy coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 through 2018. Now he’s leading the Steelers, and he’s not hiding his interest in working with Rodgers again.
Yes, it’d be a great story.
That’s what McCarthy said Monday while he was in Green Bay – not for football business, but to honor the late Packers president Bob Harlan at a celebration of life held in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
Bob Harlan’s son Kevin, who emceed the ceremony, couldn’t resist asking McCarthy about the possibility of reuniting with his former quarterback. The question got a laugh from the crowd of family, friends and fans who’d gathered to remember Harlan.
“I don’t know. I would love to tell everybody [there is] breaking news,” McCarthy said. “It’s really cool to see Aaron at 42 and to see a young man at 22 and all that he’s been able to accomplish and where he’s at in his personal life and trying to make this decision.”
He added: “He’s in a really good place, but … I think he’s in a really good place.”
Rodgers joined the Steelers last season – his first year with the team. He helped them win the AFC North title before coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after the season ended.
The timeline matters here.
Last year, Rodgers waited until right before the Steelers’ June minicamp to make his decision. The team hasn’t set a public deadline for him this time around, but general manager Omar Khan said last month he thinks the four-time NFL MVP will decide earlier than he did in 2025.
Bob Harlan, who died on March 5 at age 89, was running the Packers when McCarthy first arrived as quarterbacks coach in 1999. He was still there when McCarthy got promoted to head coach in 2006. Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf spoke at Monday’s ceremony, along with the two Packers presidents who followed Harlan – Mark Murphy and Ed Policy.
McCarthy remembered exactly what Harlan told him when he came to Green Bay for his head coaching interview.
“Welcome home and good luck.”
McCarthy didn’t say whether he’d use those same words if Rodgers decides to play another season. But they might fit pretty well.
