Aaron Rodgers is Back for 2026

[Coryea]

You have coaches that presumably can coach/teach and youth. They should introduce each other and see what transpires. I think if they stay QB looking that he won’t set them back as the roster is stable as long as there is a draft they can go shopping. I think the lack of options set the franchise back more than what he may or may not do.

Bringing him in sets them back because, unless he gets injured you're not going to learn much about either young QB. You're not benching Rodgers if things aren't going well. What's the plan next year? Get a QB in round 1, now you have 3 young QBs and you don't know much about, but you cant start a young QB with no experience, so are we bringing another vet in, and waiting until we're forced to play a young QB? They were so excited to potentially land Rodgers last year they passed on Dart. If Rodgers is this great mentor that going teach, why didn't they grab Dart for Aaron to work with.
At some point you have to allow a young QB to play

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I hate saying this outloud but its what im thinking right now.
If they dont go 6-0 to start the season,, rodgers may as well hang them up then. The back half of the schedule is brutal.
Nothing left to do but get a look at the other qb's.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

That is not ok.

It is what it is
Sometimes one’s hand must be forced
Art is what he is…a mediocrity lovin dumazz
The only way out is an injury-significant one
He’s due

In best Drago voice (referring to a fallen Aaron)
If he dies
He dies

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I have a feeling this is ARs last year. Just my gut instinct..

Man I hope you’re right

So next year will dumazz Art go Flacco or Cousins?

 

[Fiji Mariner]

You have coaches that presumably can coach/teach and youth. They should introduce each other and see what transpires. I think if they stay QB looking that he won’t set them back as the roster is stable as long as there is a draft they can go shopping. I think the lack of options set the franchise back more than what he may or may not do.

Funny that with “the lack of options” over the past 5 years all these other teams have found QBs…oh ****, they’re actually prioritizing that…those fools

But I’m sure one of these years Art’s plan of duct tape and will work perfectly to a close playoff loss, you know…not the complete embarrassing Molly whopping aka “the standard”

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Bringing him in sets them back because, unless he gets injured you're not going to learn much about either young QB. You're not benching Rodgers if things aren't going well. What's the plan next year? Get a QB in round 1, now you have 3 young QBs and you don't know much about, but you cant start a young QB with no experience, so are we bringing another vet in, and waiting until we're forced to play a young QB? They were so excited to potentially land Rodgers last year they passed on Dart. If Rodgers is this great mentor that going teach, why didn't they grab Dart for Aaron to work with.
At some point you have to allow a young QB to play

Yep
Then next season a QB will be staring them in the face in the draft and they’ll think “let’s see what Allar or Howard can do” and pass on that guy too

They need to see what they have
NOW

Did everyone forget how weak and tired Aaron looked the second half of the season?
And then like a broken old man after throwing that ridiculous fumble to brace his old bones?
Crazy how many actually want more of that.

Then next year they have knowledge and then can make an informed decision towards priorities in next year’s allegedly “QB rich draft”

At a minimum they may as well shorten his season and let the winner of the Allar/Howard battle play weeks 8-13 to rest the old chap up for 2nd season so he doesn’t look so damn tired a nice 4-5 week “bye” mid season can’t hurt

 

[Steeltime]

You sure he didn't have an offer from Jitter's nursing home?

He did but Jitter$50 was unwilling to waive the $50 application fee so that was a no-go.

 

[Steeltime]

*sigh*

Okay, sure. Rodgers for 2026. Whee. Steelers 2016-2026:

 

[madinsomniac]

2004. The Steelers start the season with two rookie QBs Brian St Pierre and one Big Ben Roethlisberger( St. Pierre was drafted year before but had zero snaps...basically a rookie.)

Charlie Batch was the backup but out for the season, and Tommy Maddox was the starter.

So Maddox, Ben ,St. Pierre.

Maddox goes down, Ben takes over and the rest is history.

I think they do the same thing this season. Unless Aller is a complete disaster in camp.

The only reason that happened was a knee injury to Charlie batch during the preseason.. ... the plan was for Ben to be the 3rd qb and sit on the bench... mid August Batch went in to treat inflammation in his knee and it turned out he needed season ending surgery That bumped Ben up to QB 2 while they searched for a vet backup but maddox went down right away and he never gave them a reason... that wasnt a choice... injuries pushed their hand

 

[topseed]

So you think the steelers will go into the season With Rodgers, backed up with Allar and Howard and their combined zero NFL snaps.

I don't know what the hell the plan is at this point. I know that they're going to have 4 quarterbacks under contract. Given what McCarthy has had to say about Howard and Allar, I'll have to go ahead and assume that they'll try and move Rudolph at some point.

You hate Allar. I get it. I'm just pointing out reality. They don't have to cut Howard today. You need 4 in camp. But as camp winds down and practice reps become scarce, you have to give the reps to the guy who Mike McCarthy hand picked.

You don't get shlt. If you'd bothered to read any of my recent posts on the subject, you'd know now that Allar is a Steeler, I've expressed hope and optimism that he can improve his footwork under McCarthy, and become a better pro.

And, no, you don't just hand the reps to Allar simply because he was drafted by McCarthy three rounds higher than Howard. You give the reps to the guy who earns them.

Steelers could have signed Malik Willis or Kyler Murray. They probably could have gotten JJ McCarthy. They did their homework on Allar and decided Allar is the guy they want to develop over any of those guys. I didn't say that. The Steelers did with their actions.

How the hell do you know who the Steelers could have signed? Willis has ties to Miami's new staff. Murray is a lifelong Vikings fan who has the opportunity to play indoors with Justin Jefferson. Reports are that the Steelers wanted Carson Beck, but had to settle for your nephew. Let's wait and see what happens in camp before you crown his a**.

 

[slashsteel]

Funny that with “the lack of options” over the past 5 years all these other teams have found QBs…oh ****, they’re actually prioritizing that…those fools

But I’m sure one of these years Art’s plan of duct tape and will work perfectly to a close playoff loss, you know…not the complete embarrassing Molly whopping aka “the standard”

Yeah we know Mike was front-lining that problem. He went with his guys.

 

[slashsteel]

Man I hope you’re right

So next year will dumazz Art go Flacco or Cousins?

Already Allar is in the room. See my other response.

 

[bermudasteel]

So how many playoff wins?
I’d easily predict zero even with the improved roster

I’m positive I’ll watch more Saturday football than Steelers football.

Can’t believe how many Steelers fans have gotten so complacent about an absolute non search to become competitive once again.

At least my Sundays opened up for something worthwhile and productive, that’s me being positive

Who can know that now??? Let's be optimistic then, shall we???

Two.

 

[bermudasteel]

DK Sports alluded to the draft that the Steelers were NOT taking a QB in rnd 1. He also said that they would draft a QB not in rnd 1 that they felt had better ability than Howard does. They got Allar because he was there in the 3rd and MM wanted him. MM felt Allar had what he wanted to work with.

I’m just saying, don’t rule Allar out of beating Howard out in camp. Most think because he has been here a full season, that he (Howard) is the automatic. He was relegated to scout team, a death sentence for a rookie.

MM known as a QB guru, will sort and determine pecking order as anything is possible.




Salute the nation

Berm thinks Willie has "it", but sees the upside on Josh 2.0...

 

[slashsteel]

Berm thinks Willie has "it", but sees the upside on Josh 2.0...

Preseason is going to be a fun watch.

 

[bermudasteel]

Boys, I know everyone here is a loyal diehard Steeler fanatic and I love that about our fans.
I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade about the upcoming season but please think back to January and Rodger’s performance in that playoff game.
He got mauled in that game and I realize the Texans have a great defense but he looked every bit the 42 year old QB he is.
What’s going to change this year? Another year older and slower I just don’t see much success especially against a tougher schedule.

One option at WR, who still, IMO, is a true WR1.

Horrible OL play.

Facts of why we got demolished...

 

[Badcat]

Bringing him in sets them back because, unless he gets injured you're not going to learn much about either young QB. You're not benching Rodgers if things aren't going well. What's the plan next year? Get a QB in round 1, now you have 3 young QBs and you don't know much about, but you cant start a young QB with no experience, so are we bringing another vet in, and waiting until we're forced to play a young QB? They were so excited to potentially land Rodgers last year they passed on Dart. If Rodgers is this great mentor that going teach, why didn't they grab Dart for Aaron to work with.
At some point you have to allow a young QB to play

As opposed to what, throwing one of the young guns out there in a new system where QB reads are a staple? For what purpose, so the Steelers and us fans get to see "what they got"? If you think about it, what you're proposing is what the Cleveland Browns did last season and do you think they're in a better position this year over last? Couple that with the fact that there is a new coaching staff, new plays, concepts, schemes, culture, relationship building, etc. it only adds to the complexity of the entire situation. Bringing in the old man who has worked in this system at the highest levels to mentor the young guns is the best situation for the organization. Have the Steelers pissed into the wind at the QB position, most certainly. But to just throw some kid out there and pray for a Jaxon Dart miracle isn't the correct approach IMO.

 

[slashsteel]

One option at WR, who still, IMO, isn’t a true WR1.

Horrible OL play.

Outdated schemes and past expiration date head coach.

Facts of why we got demolished...

I percent agree.

 

[Coryea]

As opposed to what, throwing one of the young guns out there in a new system where QB reads are a staple? For what purpose, so the Steelers and us fans get to see "what they got"? If you think about it, what you're proposing is what the Cleveland Browns did last season and do you think they're in a better position this year over last? Couple that with the fact that there is a new coaching staff, new plays, concepts, schemes, culture, relationship building, etc. it only adds to the complexity of the entire situation. Bringing in the old man who has worked in this system at the highest levels to mentor the young guns is the best situation for the organization. Have the Steelers pissed into the wind at the QB position, most certainly. But to just throw some kid out there and pray for a Jaxon Dart miracle isn't the correct approach IMO.

I'm not proposing what Cleveland did. I've said several times they should've went out and signed someone like Willis, or see what SF wanted for Mac Jones, etc., guys that have played some, that are young enough to turn into something, is it likely any of those guys end up being our next guy, no, but they're young enough and have something to prove that you have a "chance" to catch lightning in a bottle. Rodgers absolutely is not the answer, and if he wanted to mentor these guys he would've reached out and been helping them already. And with Rodgers you're not going to bench him, those other guys you absolutely could bench. Gun to my head, hell yes I'm picking Rodgers over anyone on our roster to win a game.
The goal for the Steelers now shouldn't be to win a playoff game, it should be to find the next franchise QB. I love that they want to be competitive, but going into every season with the fear of having a bad season is how you go 20 seasons between legit QB's and Super Bowls. That's why you skip guys like Marino, Lamar, trade your upcoming 1st round pick when your 37 year old QB blows his elbow out, pass on Hurts that same draft for Chase Claypool, skip a 1st round talent like Dart.

 

[slashsteel]

I'm not proposing what Cleveland did. I've said several times they should've went out and signed someone like Willis, or see what SF wanted for Mac Jones, etc., guys that have played some, that are young enough to turn into something, is it likely any of those guys end up being our next guy, no, but they're young enough and have something to prove that you have a "chance" to catch lightning in a bottle. Rodgers absolutely is not the answer, and if he wanted to mentor these guys he would've reached out and been helping them already. And with Rodgers you're not going to bench him, those other guys you absolutely could bench. Gun to my head, hell yes I'm picking Rodgers over anyone on our roster to win a game.
The goal for the Steelers now shouldn't be to win a playoff game, it should be to find the next franchise QB. I love that they want to be competitive, but going into every season with the fear of having a bad season is how you go 20 seasons between legit QB's and Super Bowls. That's why you skip guys like Marino, Lamar, trade your upcoming 1st round pick when your 37 year old QB blows his elbow out, pass on Hurts that same draft for Chase Claypool, skip a 1st round talent like Dart.

Wllis is largely an unknown and more importantly probably wouldn’t fit in a McCarthy west coast run offense.

Mac Jones probably would be a better fit but to date he has shown to be a high end backup. Or a mid to low end starter.

So more importantly not a upgrade over Aaron based on that.

The ol guys that have played some have to schematically fit (we know AR does) and have to show signs of an upgrade. (we know Matt hasn’t shown that)

As I said since the get go free agency options at QB blew this offseason.


Now Darnold probably would have been but the Steelers last season had no desire to add a younger QB that showed he could be a high end starter.

So here we are.

 

[jitter77]

I'm not proposing what Cleveland did. I've said several times they should've went out and signed someone like Willis, or see what SF wanted for Mac Jones, etc., guys that have played some, that are young enough to turn into something, is it likely any of those guys end up being our next guy, no, but they're young enough and have something to prove that you have a "chance" to catch lightning in a bottle. Rodgers absolutely is not the answer, and if he wanted to mentor these guys he would've reached out and been helping them already. And with Rodgers you're not going to bench him, those other guys you absolutely could bench. Gun to my head, hell yes I'm picking Rodgers over anyone on our roster to win a game.
The goal for the Steelers now shouldn't be to win a playoff game, it should be to find the next franchise QB. I love that they want to be competitive, but going into every season with the fear of having a bad season is how you go 20 seasons between legit QB's and Super Bowls. That's why you skip guys like Marino, Lamar, trade your upcoming 1st round pick when your 37 year old QB blows his elbow out, pass on Hurts that same draft for Chase Claypool, skip a 1st round talent like Dart.

It's easy to look back in hindsight and say who we should have taken. The jury is still out on Dart. After Cam got hurt Dart looked bad. If we drafted Lamar who knows what would have happened. The Ravens designed their system around him. I highly doubt we would have done that. There are no sure thing QB prospects and good QBs can be found later in the first. I think if there was someone they really wanted they would do anything they could to trade up.
I do not agree with how they are handling the current situation through. We should have just rolled with Allar, Howard, and Mason. Let the young guys battle it out and Mason would be the safety blanket. Unless Rodgers gets hurt it's going to be very tough to figure out what we got

 

[Badcat]

I'm not proposing what Cleveland did. I've said several times they should've went out and signed someone like Willis, or see what SF wanted for Mac Jones, etc., guys that have played some, that are young enough to turn into something, is it likely any of those guys end up being our next guy, no, but they're young enough and have something to prove that you have a "chance" to catch lightning in a bottle.

I'm struggling with your point, bud. Why would the Steelers sign someone with potential to "be something" when they're banking on the two guys they drafted being that "something"? Your original point was "Let's see what they got" but bringing in a Mac Jones who potentially gets on a heater would negate the point entirely.

Am I missing something or do you need more coffee this morning?

 

[Coryea]

It's easy to look back in hindsight and say who we should have taken. The jury is still out on Dart. After Cam got hurt Dart looked bad. If we drafted Lamar who knows what would have happened. The Ravens designed their system around him. I highly doubt we would have done that. There are no sure thing QB prospects and good QBs can be found later in the first. I think if there was someone they really wanted they would do anything they could to trade up.
I do not agree with how they are handling the current situation through. We should have just rolled with Allar, Howard, and Mason. Let the young guys battle it out and Mason would be the safety blanket. Unless Rodgers gets hurt it's going to be very tough to figure out what we got

Yes Hindsight is easy, but Dart was a first round talent, will he pan out who knows, but he was sitting right there, we didn't have a franchise guy, hell we didn't even have Rodgers signed yet. No reason to pass on him. No there are not sure thing QB prospects, but that's more the reason to see what you have now so you can go into next years draft knowing if you want to move up if you need to.
All this does is push us back another year from knowing what we have or what we need.

Rodgers without a doubt gives us the best chance to win this season, but like I've said that shouldn't be the goal, to just win a playoff game, the goal should be to find the next guy.

 

[Coryea]

I'm struggling with your point, bud. Why would the Steelers sign someone with potential to "be something" when they're banking on the two guys they drafted being that "something"? Your original point was "Let's see what they got" but bringing in a Mac Jones who potentially gets on a heater would negate the point entirely.

Am I missing something or do you need more coffee this morning?

because the two guys they drafted were 3rd and 6th round guys, 29 of the 32 starters last year were 1st or 2nd round guys, not likely either of them pan out. I wouldn't be suggesting this if we had a #1 draft pick sitting there.
Mac Jones is 27, played in 11 games last year and had a higher rating than Rodgers.

If Mac Jones sucks you bench his ***, if Rodgers comes in and sucks, he's not getting benched. If Mac Jones gets on heater and turns out to be pretty good, well you only wasted a 3rd and 6th on QB's, and that's part of my point, Jones or a similar guy is young enough and in their prime that they have a chance, slim, but a chance to turn into something. Rodgers doesn't.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Who can know that now??? Let's be optimistic then, shall we???

Two.

Optimism will come with a change

This organization fears change to their detriment, to a point of paralysis stuck on meh

Insanity that they keep doing the same things and expecting different outcomes. Unless MM is a miracle salve, or has found the fountain of youth to soak Rodgers I’m optimistic that the ceiling is about what it has been for a decade…NOT GOOD ENOUGH

So sure one could be optimistic, but it kinda requires a good touch of insanity to do so at this point.

But maybe just maybe MM is the miracle salve, although his career would show he’s pretty much MT level with different strengths. His being developing QBs. So why not lean into that strength and use it?

Is he here to develop a 42 year old QB???

Now that **** is nuts