McCarthy framed his return to coaching in Pittsburgh as a homecoming, then added that he has already spoken with Rodgers. He emphasized the importance of a player taking time away to decompress, saying, “the game is so emotional with what these men commit to … that time away is important.” He noted he has spoken with Rodgers and remains open to the possibility, while also acknowledging the current situation’s timing remains unsettled.
Rodgers has been productive in recent seasons, even as he contends with the demands of a long NFL career. The quarterback’s 21st NFL season saw him complete 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions, averaging 207.6 passing yards per game and adding 61 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown. McCarthy did not set a timetable for a decision from Rodgers, stressing that no timeline had been established for an answer.
The Steelers face the broader challenge of identifying their next franchise quarterback in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. General Manager Omar Khan highlighted quarterback development as a key criterion for any new coach, noting that the organization would be looking for growth potential in a young signal-caller alongside well-regarded coaching credentials.
McCarthy’s long history with Rodgers in Green Bay provides context for the potential pairing. The two spent 11 seasons together, including a 2010 Super Bowl title when Green Bay defeated Pittsburgh 31-25. Rodgers also established himself as one of the league’s top QBs, with standout seasons such as leading the league in passing touchdowns in 2016 and posting top touchdown percentages in 2011 and 2012.
Khan also referenced the Steelers’ plans to work with quarterback Will Howard and underscored that McCarthy’s track record with quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Dak Prescott, and Joe Montana is part of the appeal. Pittsburgh is hoping that McCarthy’s development experience can translate into sustained success at the quarterback position as they pursue their next era of competitive play.
