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Why the Steelers Will Get a Better Aaron Rodgers in 2026
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- Why the Steelers Will Get a Better Aaron Rodgers in 2026
If you considered the 2025 season a success for the Pittsburgh Steelers , it might sense from a couple of angles.
After signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, the Steelers went 10-7 and stole the division title at the last possible moment.
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But after a third-straight 10-win season that ended with a first-round playoff exit, there was nothing but disappointment in Pittsburgh, to the point that head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after two decades leading the team.
Rodgers did what he was signed to do, which was stabilize the most important position on the field and give the Steelers an elevated floor of consistency and reliability under center. His production was average, but the key number was just seven interceptions over 16 starts.
At 43 years old, Rodgers is back for more, agreeing to another one-year deal with the Steelers, per multiple reports:
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This time around, the Steelers should get an even better version of the future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
For starters, there's the obvious connection and familiarity with Mike McCarthy , who was hired to replace Tomlin as head coach in Pittsburgh this offseason. Rodgers and McCarthy won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay, and should have no problem leaning on their experience with one another as the foundation for the team's offensive approach in 2026.
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But most importantly, the Steelers made vital upgrades to Rodgers' supporting cast that should make his job much easier this year.
Trading for DK Metcalf last offseason was a huge win for the Steelers, as the former second-round pick out of Ole Miss quickly established himself as the clear-cut, go-to target for Rodgers in the passing game. His combination of size, athleticism and physicality was a consistent source of big plays all year long, giving Rodgers a true No. 1 receiver.
Unfortunately, the cupboard was pretty bare at the position beyond Metcalf, and when opposing defenses bracketed him with multiple defenders, Rodgers didn't have a reliable secondary target to rely on. A player would flash at times here or there, but nobody could consistently take advantage of 1-on-1 opportunities or make clutch plays in key moments.
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That shouldn't be a problem this year, thanks to multiple offseason moves. The Steelers started with yet another veteran trade, bringing in another big, physical target in Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts . His size, hands, and physical style of play should give Rodgers an easy go-to option on third downs when Metcalf is double-covered.
Despite losing out on USC's Makai Lemon in the first round, thanks to a last-second trade-up by the Philadelphia Eagles , the Steelers rebounded by landing one of the most polished, pro-ready receivers in the 2027 NFL Draft class. Second-rounder Germie Bernard out of Alabama is the perfect WR3 for Rodgers, thanks to his high level of intelligence, polished route-running skills, and reliable hands. He's a versatile playmaker who can line up all over the field, and he makes big plays when he gets the ball. His ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and create consistent separation with his route-running ability should make him an instant favorite of Rodgers.
The offensive backfield got deeper and more experienced with the addition of Rico Dowdle in free agency, and the Steelers spent their first-round pick on the offensive tackle with the most upside in this year's draft, Arizona State's Max Iheanachor. With Broderick Jones ' status still in doubt due to his neck injury, Iheanachor could be relied on early, and he's got all the traits to quickly develop into a dominant blocker.
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Even the defense got some solid veteran additions in free agency ( Jaquan Brisker , Jamel Dean , Sebastian Joseph-Day ) that should help the Steelers play better complementary football, making life easier for Rodgers and the offense in 2026.
All of this should add up to a much better version of Rodgers this year, but the Steelers will need it, with bounce-back campaigns likely from Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and Joe Burrow in Cincinnati . Even if Pittsburgh isn't able to steal a division title in what should be a much tougher AFC North landscape this time around, they should still have a much more consistent and productive offense in 2026, with a more successful Rodgers at the helm.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
