With the big question of whether he would have returned to the Steelers out of the way, now the question is how much more he can lift them.
Rodgers was pretty inconsistent in 2025. He failed to record a single 300-yard passing game and, including the playoff loss, threw for 200 yards or less in seven outings. His 3,322 passing yards marked a career low outside of any injury-shortened seasons as a starter, as did his 24 touchdowns, though he remained characteristically protective of the ball and threw just seven interceptions.
No longer as pedestrian as he was in his younger days, Rodgers completed just 39.3% of his attempts under pressure, according to Next Generation Stats. He also targeted players under 10 yards on 71.5% of his attempts overall, the highest percentage of any QB over the past three seasons, likely a byproduct of knowing avoiding a rush when it got close to home was a diminishing prospect.
Nevertheless, Rodgers led the Steelers to the AFC North title. He provided veteran leadership in the locker room and looked vintage in the regular-season finale, orchestrating two fourth-quarter drives, including one he capped with a 26-yard touchdown pass in the division-clinching game against the Baltimore Ravens.
He was successful without a lot of help around him as well. The Steelers offered little threat to the pass defense outside of DK Metcalf, and their rushing attack finished 26th in the league.
Gone is Kenneth Gainwell, Rodgers’ favorite target, but Pittsburgh still laid a stronger foundation for Rodgers to build on next season. The Steelers signed Rico Dowdle to move back into the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren and traded for Michael Pittman, a receiver perfectly suited for Rodgers’ passing offense. In the draft, they added some beef up front on Day 1 by taking offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, then doubled down on wide receiver by moving up in the second round for Germie Bernard and grabbing Kaden Wetjen in the fourth.
While the Steelers again delayed turning their hopes over to a younger QB by keeping the franchise in Rodgers’ hands, they have a potential succession plan with Aller on the roster — or even Howard, the 2025 sixth-round pick, if he excels at the task.
For 2026, though, Rodgers is on pace to begin a new era, Pittsburgh’s first year with a new head coach since 2007.
The ceiling towards the end of Tomlin’s tenure was a frustrating reality. The Steelers never endured a losing season under him, but have lost six straight in the playoffs and haven’t escaped the Wild Card round since 2017.
Rodgers felt this last season with them.
Now Pittsburgh is pinning its hopes on Rodgers and McCarthy turning back the clock for a deep playoff run, this time for the club the two sent to win the Lombardi Trophy 15 years ago.