Mike Tomlin’s departure makes it less likely Aaron Rodgers returns to Steelers

Chris Adamski TribLive Wed, Jan 14, 2026 • 02:11 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and walks off the field with then-head coach Mike Tomlin during a September game in Foxborough, Mass. Steelers president Art Rooney II said Wednesday he believes that now that Tomlin has stepped down that the 42-year-old Rodgers is less likely to be back with the Steelers for the 2026 season. (AP)

As has been his family’s approach over decades as stewards of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney II will continue to take a hands-off approach to football personnel decisions.

That includes the future of the team at quarterback. And the way Rooney sees it, as he explained at Wednesday’s news conference, the Steelers in September will one way or another end up with a sixth Week 1 starter over the past six seasons.

Three days after finishing his 21^st NFL season, Aaron Rodgers is on an expiring contract. In the wake of Tuesday’s news that Mike Tomlin stepped down as coach of the Steelers, Rooney believes that makes it less likely Rodgers will return to the Steelers for the 2026 season.

“I mean, look, Aaron came here to play for Mike,” Rooney said, “so I think it will most likely affect his decision.”

Whether Rodgers wants to play a second season for the Steelers – or another season in the NFL overall — remains to be seen. He was non-committal in the aftermath of Monday night’s loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Art Rooney II, asked if the new coach will have say in personnel decisions pic.twitter.com/gbU9MU0X0s

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 14, 2026

Whoever the Steelers’ new coach is, it should be noted, might not even want Rodgers back. Organizationally, the Steelers front office might be inclined to look to the draft and have a young quarterback grow with a new coach.

“I’m sure the quarterback position will be an important part of (upcoming interviews) with the candidates,” Rooney said, “and we’ll have to develop a plan for going forward.”

A former four-time NFL MVP, Rodgers ranked between 13^th and 15^th in the NFL this season in passing yards (3,322), touchdown passes (23) and passer rating (94.8). Though he threw only seven interceptions, his 6.7 yards per attempt ranked 30^th in the league.