The 2026 sabbatical is over for Aaron Rodgers. The past Super Bowl winner Rodgers agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday evening. This deal officially reunites him with past Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
But some slap this move with the conundrum label.
Steelers insider for ESPN Brooke Pryor asked this burning question: Who's the odd man out with Rodgers back in the fold? Does this also mean drafting local star Drew Allar in the third round felt pointless? Plus what becomes of Will Howard, who not long ago earned a QB1 endorsement from McCarthy himself?
Yet bringing back Rodgers for this much wasn't a mistake once fans pull back the curtain here.
Steelers have roster/structure made for Aaron Rodgers already
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy confers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the second quarter of the game with the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 37-34.
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Rodgers is more familiar with the personnel compared to the Penn State star Allar. Even though Howard knows the wide receivers in the room along with fellow backup Mason Rudolph.
But here's where Rodgers owns another edge over the other QBs: He knows how McCarthy works.
He's going to understand the schematics, snap counts, route trees and the high-tempo approach McCarthy runs. After all the duo won Super Bowl XLV together over this Steelers team in Dallas.
Every McCarthy concept won't be foreign to Rodgers. He's the best option to absorb this offense and run it to its full potential.
Steelers aren't rebuilding here
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) scrambles from Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett (95) during the first half of an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below
That “R” word never gets used in the Steel City or inside the Steelers' facility.
McCarthy turning to either Howard, Rudolph or even Allar would've signaled rebuild for Pittsburgh. It additionally would've meant trusting the ground attack and defense to dilute the pressure all three QBs would've faced.
Re-adding Rodgers shows Pittsburgh's desire to keep the top of the AFC North all to itself. Plus the ownership really brought in McCarthy to take over a “win now” team. That attitude needs a more established signal-caller to top off the roster.
New Steelers weapons need QB boosting their confidence
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on at the Jumbotron after his fumble resulted in a Houston Texans touchdown.
© Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Hence why Rodgers was needed back all along.
Germie Bernard is on board via the NFL Draft out of Alabama. Pittsburgh even aggressively added past Pro Bowler Michael Pittman II via offseason trade.
Both newcomers likely were told Rodgers was going to line up behind center. Rodgers opting for retirement would've done two things: Lower MP2's expectations for the Steelers, then dilute Bernard's chances to break out in his rookie campaign.
Rodgers gains more to work with outside of star DK Metcalf. It feels like the Steelers purposely added both aforementioned new guys to prepare for Rodgers' return. Now they can rack up new, improved offensive numbers together under McCarthy while boosting their chances to head to SoFi Stadium on Valentine's Day 2027.
The 2026 sabbatical is over for Aaron Rodgers. The past Super Bowl winner Rodgers agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday evening. This deal officially reunites him with past Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. But some slap this move with the conundrum label.