Steelers commit to Rodgers-McCarthy reunion despite 2025 offensive struggles
Pittsburgh’s decision to re-sign Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season follows a middling campaign under new head coach Mike McCarthy, raising questions about the viability of the pairing given the quarterback’s declining mobility.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have finalised a one-year contract to return as the starting passer for the 2026 NFL season. The agreement carries a base salary between $22 million and $23 million, with incentives that could raise the total value to $25 million. This figure represents a significant increase from his previous one-year, $13.65 million deal. The signing follows the appointment of Mike McCarthy as head coach, replacing Mike Tomlin, and marks a reunion between the coach and quarterback who last worked together with the Green Bay Packers in 2018.
The decision comes despite a 2025 season where the Steelers’ offence ranked in the middle of the league. Statistical analysis indicates the unit finished 17th in yards per play and 16th in points per drive. Rodgers, now 42, faced scrutiny for his physical decline, particularly following an Achilles injury. Metrics from the 2025 season show his average distance travelled per dropback and speed on dropbacks hitting single-season lows over the past decade, limiting his ability to extend plays or respond to pressure.
Rodgers’ 2025 performance was characterised by a heavy reliance on quick passes. He recorded a league-leading 32.5% of throws not travelling beyond the line of scrimmage and posted a time-to-throw average of 2.71 seconds. Analysts noted that his success rate on pressured dropbacks was just 19%, the worst single-season mark of his career. The offence often devolved into a series of checkdowns, with Rodgers struggling to hold the ball long enough for deeper routes to develop.
To address these limitations, the Steelers have added receiver Michael Pittman Jr. via trade and drafted Germie Bernard. However, reports suggest Rodgers has historically struggled to integrate new receivers into his system, requiring them to adapt to his specific signals and route adjustments. McCarthy, who has long run passing games oriented on quick-game concepts, is tasked with building an offence that gets the ball out quickly while still attacking all three levels of the field.
The move has drawn criticism for its financial structure and lack of long-term viability. Alternative free-agent options included Kyler Murray, who signed with the Vikings for $1.3 million, and Malik Willis, who signed with the Dolphins for a sum similar to Rodgers’ base salary. Critics argue that committing $23 million to Rodgers, who is widely viewed as past his prime, precludes the Steelers from securing a younger, cheaper alternative who could offer future value. The team’s 2025 defence was described as average, with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham tasked with diversifying coverages to support the offence.
