Fans in the Steel City got clarity on their quarterback situation, as Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers return is likely to happen. Per reports, the four-time NFL MVP is going to be visiting Pittsburgh this weekend and he’s almost guaranteed to be the team’s starting QB. While it may be good to know who the Steelers’ passer is going to be, it doesn’t change anything about the team. The 43-year-old quarterback is coming off an embarrassing playoff loss, and is rejoining a team that doesn’t have the talent to make a legitimate Super Bowl run. On top of this, his return completely screws up the plan for the young QBs already on the roster. Rodgers’ return might be exciting for some Steelers fans, but it’ll almost certainly end in disaster.
Why Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers Return Is Going To Be A Flop
Rodgers is an improvement at quarterback, but not enough of one to elevate a team at this point in his career. He was exactly what the Steelers needed last year to stabilize their offense, as he registered his highest QBR since 2021. Despite his efficiency, he will be entering the 2026 season at 43 years old. It’s not a given that he can maintain that high level of play, especially with how the 2025 season ended.
He looked like an old quarterback in last year’s playoffs, with the Steelers’ offense getting thoroughly abused by the vaunted Houston Texans’ defense. What makes matters worse for the franchise is its brutal schedule outside of the division in 2026. The Steelers host the Texans, Colts, Panthers, and Broncos, while they hit the road for games with the Jaguars, Buccaneers, Patriots, and Eagles. Rodgers may be motivated to have a stronger end to the season this time around, but he is more than likely physically unable to deliver for Pittsburgh against that tough slate. Rodgers can still move the chains, but he’s bound to hurt at some point.
Nothing Left to Prove
The fact is, Rodgers doesn’t need to return to Pittsburgh. He’s a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer (assuming Bill Polian doesn’t sway votes from HOF candidates again), so he doesn’t have anything left to prove. Pittsburgh doesn’t have the roster to seriously contend for a championship, so it’s not like he’s chasing rings in the twilight of his career. Outside of his relationship with Mike McCarthy and the Steelers organization, it makes no football sense for Rodgers to come back for another year.
The future Hall of Famer’s return also has ramifications for the future of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room. With Rodgers in the fold, Steelers decision makers won’t know if Will Howard is a legitimate starter or not for at least another year, which means he won’t have much time left on his contract to prove he belongs. Will Rodgers serve in some sort of mentorship role? In a perfect world, this is what would be expected of him. I Pittsburgh though, it’s hard to get a true sense of direction in terms of where, or who QB1 of the future currently resides?
Taking Drew Allar in the draft looks awful in hindsight, because the team is unlikely to have four QBs on the 53-man roster and he is probably the odd man out with Mason Rudolph’s experience in a backup role. Rodger’s return may have a competitive benefit for 2026, but it actively harms the future of the Steelers (partly because they won’t be driving the Arch Manning tank in 2026).
