Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are far from strangers. Now working alongside one another with the Pittsburgh Steelers , the quarterback/head coach combo were together for 13 years in Green Bay , where they won a Super Bowl and reached the postseason nine times.
It wasn't always smooth sailing for the tandem, which split after the 2018 season. But when Mike Tomlin walked away from his longtime post, McCarthy stepped in and wooed Rodgers to come back for one last season.
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" earlier this offseason, Rodgers likened his relationship with McCarthy to that of one with "a big brother."
"Sometimes you love them, sometimes you're pissed at them," Rodgers said. "But deep down, there's so much love for Mike and appreciation for the time we spent together."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former Steelers running back Merril Hoge believes the relationship has evolved to a point in which it will benefit the team this upcoming go-round.
"From really what I know from what I think is a fair perspective, there's a lot of maturity that exists now," Hoge said Friday on the "Straight Facts Homie!" podcast. "Where both of them really stand, the thing they learned from each other, and now they understand how to navigate each other better, too, which is always valued. … I like that both guys still have that (Super Bowl) mindset. They understand the reality of what needs to take place, things that need to come together."
By hiring McCarthy and making a handful of moves this offseason — including trading for receiver Michael Pittman Jr. — the Steeles have shown to believe their window is still open. Whether Rodgers, 42, can help lead them to an elusive playoff win remains to be seen.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Ex-Steelers RB Offers Optimistic Take on Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy
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