According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the odds are increasing that 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
"Rodgers has not yet informed the Steelers whether he will return for his 22nd NFL season, but my understanding is the odds are increasing," Pelissero said on Sunday's episode of NFL GameDay Morning . "I am told Rodgers has spoken several times with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, who of course helped Rodgers develop into a four-time MVP and Super Bowl-winner in Green Bay .
McCarthy isn't the only one who's spoken with Rodgers.
"Rodgers also has spoken with wide receiver DK Metcalf , who wants Rodgers back at age 42," Pelissero added.
"The plan is for Rodgers to take a little bit more time. And everyone hopes [he] comes to a decision prior to the start of free agency in mid March. … At this point, it would not be a surprise if Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh."
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy believes Rodgers, who could be entering his 22nd NFL season in 2026, can still play at a high level and sling the football. In fact, McCarthy believes Rodgers can throw the ball deep even when he's a senior citizen.
"I think, when you look at the way he's still able to play, I mean, he'll be able to throw the football when he's 70 years old," McCarthy said in an interview with WDVE on Friday morning. "He's remarkably gifted in his ball placement. Just having a chance to watch most of the games, I'm just so impressed with how he still throws it. And just having the chance to look at some practice tape, he's still doing it every day."
Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 years together in Green Bay. And it was McCarthy who molded Rodgers into being an elite quarterback.
"You can't write the story of my career without Mike McCarthy," Rodgers said after a Packers ' win over the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. McCarthy was the Cowboys' head coach at the time.
McCarthy was asked during an earlier appearance on WDVE if he has "a suspicion" on what way Rodgers might be leaning. Rodgers is still complementing whether he wants to play another year.
"I don't, but I'll say this — this is normal for him at this time of year," McCarthy said . "This has been my experience with Aaron, and something that I always encouraged him to do, even in his younger years in Green Bay. It's important for, really, all these guys to get away. There's definitely a decompressing component of playing a season, competing through a season. The Super Bowl is really — kinda that Monday afterwards — is just, I think, emotionally, for all of us, is when the page truly gets turned onto the new year.
"I think Aaron is just going through his process and evaluating what he wants to do moving forward. … I hope he's coming back."
Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Report: Odds Are Increasing of Aaron Rodgers Returning to Steelers
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