What was expected all along is now official. Aaron Rodgers is running it back with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second season, reuniting with Mike McCarthy, with whom he had a ton of success in Green Bay, winning one Super Bowl.
Now that Rodgers is back with McCarthy in Pittsburgh, former 14-year NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes in the Steelers entering the 2026 season.
In a quick reaction video he posted to his personal X account Saturday night following the news of Rodgers signing with the Steelers on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million, Daniel believes the Steelers can be dangerous this season and could get over the hump in the playoffs.
It’s not just because of Rodgers’ presence, either.
“Here’s the thing that I really like about this team. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson, Jaylen Warren, [Pat] Freiermuth, Rico Dowdle. They have all the talent in the world,” Daniel said of the Steelers. “Look, if their defense can play like they did late in the year, I think this Steelers team can be a little bit dangerous. I really like their options. Darnell Washington as well. And it’s not just Aaron Rodgers, right? Like he’s back. He’s gonna be there through May.
“I think they go 11 and six. I think they get past the wild card round, maybe the divisional round. And who knows what can happen. I know they have a little bit of an older defense. They need to fix the offense at times, that has to get more vertical. But the way Rogers has played last year, this is a heck of a deal. Stock up on the Pittsburgh Steelers, man.”
Based on the work the Steelers did this offseason via player acquisition via free agency and trades, Pittsburgh’s roster — particularly on offense — looks much better and could help elevate the Steelers in Year 1 under McCarthy.
The savvy trade for Michael Pittman Jr. answered the consistent WR2 question in the Steel City, giving Pittsburgh a formidable 1-2 punch in Metcalf and Pittman, regardless of who was under center. Then, Pittsburgh doubled down on the receiver room with a trade up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to land Alabama’s Germie Bernard.
Outside of receiver, the Steelers signed experienced running back Rico Dowdle in free agency to help replace Kenneth Gainwell, keeping a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield with Jaylen Warren. Pittsburgh also upgraded the offensive line with the selections of Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker, and the signing of Brock Hoffman in free agency.
Defensively, Pittsburgh added some experienced pieces, too, shoring up depth and answering a major question at CB2 opposite Joey Porter Jr.
Top to bottom, the roster looks pretty good. Having Rodgers piloting things offensively under McCarthy will only help. How far that takes the Steelers this year remains to be seen. But it’s hard not to be optimistic about the Steelers entering 2026.
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