Aaron Rodgers signed a one‑year, $22‑$23 million contract to rejoin the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the franchise’s starting quarterback for 2026. The deal follows the hiring of former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who will lead a squad built around a veteran passer.

Pittsburgh’s 2025 offense ranked 17th in yards per play and 16th in points per drive. Despite a solid running game, the team struggled with pass protection and a shallow receiver corps, forcing Rodgers to launch quick throws and limiting deep‑ball opportunities.

Rodgers, now 42, posted the slowest dropback times in the league and an alarming 32.5% of passes that never crossed the line of scrimmage. His mobility has waned, reducing play‑extension options and exposing the defense’s pass rush.

McCarthy’s challenge will be to design an offense that capitalizes on short, high‑percentage throws while keeping the ball out of a protected pocket. The Steelers’ success will hinge on rebuilding receiver depth and tightening pass protection to match Rodgers’ current skill set.