With a lot of changes this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have started a new era under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
And some key numbers will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, from McCarthy becoming the 17th head coach in franchise history, to 11 personnel offensively, the 3-4 defense remaining, and the franchise adding more than 30 new players this offseason via free agency, trade, and the 2026 NFL Draft.
But there is one key number that a lot rides on for the Steelers in 2026. That would be the No. 22, which happens to be the season quarterback Aaron Rodgers enters in the NFL along with how much he’s making in 2026 at $22 million.
“Shortly after re-signing with Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers declared this would be his final NFL season. Year 22 comes with high expectations for the four-time MVP, now reunited with head coach Mike McCarthy and reinforced by offseason acquisition WR Michael Pittman Jr,” NFL.com’s Matt Okada writes. “The Steelers are looking to win the division for the first time since 2020, win a playoff game for the first time since the 2016 season and make the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2010 campaign, when they lost to Rodgers and McCarthy in Super Bowl XLV.”
While highlighting the No. 22 for the Steelers makes a great deal of sense, considering the Steelers are counting on Rodgers and his experience and veteran leadership to help get them over the hump, it’s a bit puzzling how Okada could write the Steelers haven’t won the AFC North since 2020 when they did it *checks notes* just last season.
Winning the division didn’t do anything for the Steelers though as they were trounced in the AFC Wild Card by the Houston Texans, 30-6, going out without even a whimper on their home turf. In that blowout loss, Rodgers looked like his career was finished.
He played one of his worst games of the season and was under siege all night. His lack of mobility really showed, and he was battered in the pocket. His final pass of the game was a pick-six, putting a cap on the night.
Despite how old he looked, the Steelers decided to run it back with Rodgers, especially after hiring McCarthy. During his time with McCarthy in Green Bay, Rodgers won a Super Bowl and put together the foundation of a Hall of Fame career.
That was a long time ago, though. Yet, the Steelers believe Rodgers reuniting with McCarthy could help stabilize things in the first year of McCarthy’s tenure. He knows the offense, has plenty of history with McCarthy’s coaching staff, and his leadership behind the scenes in the quarterback room is invaluable.
We’ll see what he has left in the tank. There’s no denying the arm talent is still elite. If the offensive line takes a step forward and protects better, Rodgers might be able to take more shots down the field than last season. Time will tell though. He turns 43 years old in December, and that’s asking a lot from a quarterback his age at this stage in his career.
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