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By going back to Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers can’t go forward
We’ve seen this movie before.
It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers are resuming the Aaron Rodgers Experience, with all signs pointing to the 42-year-old returning for a second season with the team. This also means the proud franchise will likely remain stuck in the same cycle of mediocrity it has been trapped in for over a decade. By going back to Rodgers, the Steelers are going nowhere.
What’s the best-case, realistic scenario here? Rodgers gets Pittsburgh to the playoffs, where, maybe, somehow, they win one postseason game before being throttled by a superior opponent. The worst-case scenario is finishing last in the AFC North.
Aaron Rodgers found Calvin Austin for a touchdown when the Steelers needed it most
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2026
A Terrible Towel-waving optimist will focus on Rodgers’ last-minute touchdown pass to Calvin Austin, which sent the Steelers to the postseason. A Terrible Towel-waving pessimist will focus on the fact that Pittsburgh needed a game-ending missed field goal by the Baltimore Ravens. Once in the playoffs, Rodgers’ performance against the Houston Texans was among the worst in recent history.
Tom Brady was an outlier. Most 40-something quarterbacks have little left in the tank. At his peak, Rodgers used his arm and legs to challenge defenses, which is what made him a 4-time MVP with the Green Bay Packers. Now he plays like a guy afraid of getting hurt, throwing quick, short passes and only occasionally pushing the ball downfield.
In 2026, Rodgers will be reunited with his former Green Bay coach. The Steelers’ decision to hire Mike McCarthy was curious, and it would make more sense if Rodgers were much younger. However, believing this will succeed is a Disney fantasy. The more likely outcome is that the 2026 Steelers will look very similar to the 2025 Steelers.
THE TEXANS TAKE DOWN AARON RODGERS EN ROUTE TO A BIG GUY TOUCHDOWN!
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 13, 2026
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman with the Texans-Steelers playoff call for ESPN.
You wish Pittsburgh had the courage to move on from a quadragenarian who ranked No. 27 in QBR last season. The Steelers owe nothing to Rodgers, and it might be worth their while to explore other options. McCarthy could use 2026 to develop another starting quarterback, whether that’s in-house (rookie Drew Allar or second-year man Will Howard) or by bringing in someone like Anthony Richardson.
Even if these choices aren’t the long-term answer and the Steelers struggle, there is a silver lining. The 2027 NFL Draft is expected to be loaded with quarterback talent. As many as six quarterbacks could be selected in the first round, including Arch Manning if he declares early.
The Steelers compete in a conference that includes Patrick Mahomes (30), Lamar Jackson (29), Josh Allen (29), Justin Herbert (28), and Drake Maye (23). All of these guys are still relatively young. Three of them have won MVPs, and the other two may eventually get one.
Pittsburgh needs a fresh face at quarterback now, not an old one like Rodgers, who will keep them in the status quo.
The post By going back to Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers can’t go forward appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
