Steelers Owner Discusses If Aaron Rodgers' NFL Future Impacted Mike McCarthy Hire

After the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, many questioned whether the decision was in hopes of keeping quarterback Aaron Rodgers around.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II clarified Sunday that Rodgers' potential return had no influence over the team's decision to hire McCarthy.

"We decided to bring Mike on because we believe that he's the right coach for us at this point to help lead us to a championship," Rooney told Bob Labriola of Steelers.com. "We don't know what Aaron's plans are right now, and that did not weigh heavily in the decision. We'll see where Aaron is, and we've left the door open, but obviously we all have to sit down and see if that makes sense. So that'll happen sometime in the next month or so. But the decision was made based on Mike being the coach we want, and it really had very little to do with whether Aaron is going to be back or not."

McCarthy was Rodgers' head coach from 2006 to 2018, and the two won a Super Bowl together in 2010. Rodgers also won two of his four MVP awards while being coached by McCarthy.

Matt Schneidman of The Athletic noted that Rodgers clarified in 2022 that there was no bad blood between him and McCarthy.

A handful of insiders also noted that the hiring of McCarthy sets up a perfect scenario for Rodgers to return.

Schefter reported that another year of Rodgers on the Steelers was "unlikely" following Mike Tomlin's departure, though Pittsburgh was open to the idea of him coming back. Schefter added that Rodgers "did not commit to retiring or returning to the Steelers during his conversations with the organization, according to sources, and wants to take time away before deciding his future."

Rodgers, 42, is coming off a solid season in which he threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Steelers to the playoffs.

If Rodgers decides not to return to Pittsburgh, Rooney said McCarthy is "comfortable" with the team's young quarterbacks.

"We'll have to sit down and discuss where Aaron is, if he decides to come back, and whether that all makes sense," Rooney said. "I think Mike was very comfortable with the quarterback room and the possibilities with the quarterback room. In particular, the fact we have a young quarterback on the roster in whom he sees some upside."

Playing his final season with McCarthy could be the perfect way to cap off his career, but only time will tell if Rodgers will play for the Steelers or if he'll play at all.