The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone a series of offseason changes. Some could refresh the franchise and get it out of the rut it’s been in. Quarterback isn’t one of those. Aaron Rodgers is back for his final NFL season. Even with clear long-term questions regarding the position, there’s a true benefit to Rodgers’ return. If only for a season, the Steelers have continuity at quarterback. That could pay serious dividends.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have gone through a rolodex of Week One starters: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, and Rodgers. It became a streak that the franchise had never before endured. No wonder the team can’t gain any traction.
Rodgers provides a link, giving Pittsburgh the same quarterback in consecutive seasons. He’ll help bridge the gap to Mike McCarthy and the new coaching staff, knowing and speaking the same language as his head coach – even if he needed a refresher.
Returning for another year allows the team to build. His chemistry with DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and other key targets isn’t starting from scratch. It’ll be improved, as it reportedly has with Metcalf and Roman Wilson, who struggled to find traction with Rodgers last year. Additions like Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard have blank slates, but a new quarterback would’ve put the entire group at square one.
That’s good for everyone. Freiermuth noted it’s one of his favorite parts of the offseason. For good reason. He has experienced every change, and 2026 will be the first time he’s had a returning quarterback.
Even compared to past years, Rodgers’ reps are different. In 2022, Trubisky was new to the team. In 2023, Pickett was entering his first full year as a starter. 2024 saw Russell Wilson miss much of camp with a calf injury, giving way to Justin Fields for the first six weeks. The two switched roles to finish the year. In 2025, Rodgers didn’t take his first team reps until training camp in late July, putting the team behind others.
It’s a potential difference-maker. An answer to the question of why Rodgers and the passing offense could have a better year despite Rodgers being another year older. So much of a passing game is about being on the same page. The more reps together, the better.
In 2027, the process is near-certain to start over. There’s an argument to be made Pittsburgh is better off turning to a young option now, finding a gem, and having that option take the first step in being a recurring and long-term option. That’s valid. It’s also simply not the reality of how Pittsburgh is proceeding. Rodgers is the quarterback. His return has at least this benefit, finally giving Pittsburgh something to build on in the hopes 2026 ends with a different outcome.
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