The stars may be aligning for anAaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy reunion in Pittsburgh, but it hasn't happened yet – despite one party expressing enthusiasm at the idea recently.
McCarthy, the new head coach for thePittsburgh Steelers, was a featured speaker at a celebration of life for formerGreen Bay Packerspresident Bob Harlan at Lambeau Field on March 23. At the event, Kevin Harlan, Bob's son and a sports commentator for CBS Sports,asked McCarthyabout a potential reunion with Rodgers in Pittsburgh.
"It would be a great story," McCarthy said. "And I don't know– I would love to tell everybody this breaking news. But it's really cool to see Aaron at 42. To see a young man at 22 and all of what he's been able to accomplish and where he's at in his personal life, and trying to make this decision. He's in a really good place."
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McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 years together with the Packers – when McCarthy was still their head coach and Rodgers was still their quarterback. During that 2006-2018 stretch, Rodgers earned seven Pro Bowl nods, won two NFL MVP awards and won Super Bowl MVP as the Packers defeated theSteelersin Super Bowl 45.
The Steelers hired McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, whohad resignedfrom Pittsburgh's head coach role in January after 19 straight non-losing seasons. McCarthy is a Pittsburgh native who most recently coached the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2024. He spent the 2025 season out of football.
Rodgers is a free agentafter spending last year with the Steelers on a one-year deal. Last offseason, Pittsburgh spent several months courting the veteran gunslinger following his release from the New York Jets before officially signing him on June 7.
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This year, the Steelers are the last quarterback-needy team still in the market for a new signal-caller – excluding the Las Vegas Raiders, who are expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza in April.
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4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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In a March 4 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show,Rodgers discussedhis conversations with the Steelers and whether he planned to return for the 2026 season.
"There's no contract offer or anything, so there's nothing that I'm having to debate between," Rodgers said. "I'm a free agent. I'm enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason. I think there's conversations to be had down the line, but right now there hasn't been any progressive conversations.
"There hasn't been any deadline set on me, there hasn't been any contract floated in front of me. … Interested in what the conversations will be, but there hasn't been any progression when it comes to that."
Rodgers suggested prior to the 2025 season that it could be his last in the NFL, but he did not double down on that sentiment after the Steelers' wild-card round playoff loss in January.
"I'm not gonna make any emotional decisions,"Rodgers said after the game. "Disappointed, you know, obviously, such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, being a part of this team. So it's disappointing to be sitting here."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Aaron Rodgers' potential Steelers return: Mike McCarthy weighs in
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