Shock head teaching rent Mike McCarthy made his first media look immediately and introduced he would like to have Aaron Rodgers again in Pittsburgh for one more season. His actual assertion was, “Undoubtedly. I imply, I don’t see why you wouldn’t.”
McCarthy needed to make this assertion to the media. Rodgers was basically his solely quarterback in Inexperienced Bay for over a decade. The 2 gained a Tremendous Bowl collectively. Getting the prospect to have one final experience with the quarterback who made you one of many winningest coaches of the 2010s is a no brainer response to the general public. Nevertheless, is he actually the most suitable choice for the Steelers in 2026?
If the Steelers are searching for a repeat of the Mike Tomlin period, then Rodgers is a no-doubt choice as your QB1. He had an honest yr final season, totaling 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and solely seven interceptions. At his finest, Rodgers was hitting on his deep balls and working a clear offense for the Steelers. Sadly, at his worst, he seemed like an motionless, past-his-prime gunslinger, lacking reads left and proper.
To Rodgers’ protection, the offense lacks expertise throughout the board, and on the opposite facet of the ball, the protection was nonetheless prime 10 in defensive EPA per play. Nevertheless it wasn’t practically as sturdy as in years previous.
Except Pittsburgh can discover the cap area to shore up its offensive line and add one other first rate receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, I’m unsure the Steelers may presumably be higher subsequent yr. To make issues worse, the protection is beginning to decline in key positions, so it is going to be an uphill battle to win a playoff recreation subsequent season.
I felt like McCarthy was introduced in to assist refresh this workforce — commerce their getting older veterans away, purchase vital draft capital and open up cap area to get aggressive after a really brief tank. The Steelers felt caught within the mud towards the top of the Tomlin period, so getting a contemporary paint job on the automobile is likely to be good for Pittsburgh.
Bringing again Rodgers for yet one more yr means you gained’t be buying and selling anybody away. That will be nice, however I’m unsure you possibly can flip the remainder of this roster right into a contender. Re-signing Rodgers returns you to a different season of soccer purgatory. You’re not ok to actually contend, and also you’re not unhealthy sufficient to draft a prime quarterback.
The Steelers group doesn’t look like a workforce that may ever purposefully tank, however I’m unsure it’s one of the best transfer in the event you ever desire a seventh ring introduced residence to Heinz Subject — Acrisure Stadium.
