Aaron Rodgers Blasts 'Bulls--t' Criticism of Steelers' Mike McCarthy After HC's Hire

Aaron Rodgers may not have yet decided whether he'll be returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second season, but he at least seems to be a fan of the franchise's recent head coaching hire.

Rodgers said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show that he didn't think the Steelers "could do better, at this time, in this franchise's history, than bringing in a guy like Mike McCarthy."

"I loved my time with Mike over the years," said Rodgers, who previously played under McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers. "Obviously, there was sometimes— it's like a big brother where, sometimes you love him, sometimes you're pissed at him. But deep down, there's so much love for Mike, and appreciation for the time we spent together."

Rodgers continued, "I saw some of the stuff being written about Mike, and I just think: One, he didn't give a s--t about that. Two, majority of it is bulls--t, negative thing about Mike."

Rodgers went on to praise the Steelers' decision to hire a local in McCarthy, who grew up in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

"There's something to an old-school organization— which the Pittsburgh Steelers definitely are, just like the Green Bay Packers were— and bringing in a guy who, not only brings accountability and a program that's proven to work at multiple places now, but he's a f--king yinzer," Rodgers said.

Rodgers continued, "Mike bleeds Pittsburgh, PA... Who else would you rather have lead than a guy who literally bleeds black and gold and loves the city with all his heart?"

Both McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan have expressed interest in re-signing Rodgers, who has not yet confirmed he is returning for a 22nd NFL season.

Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 seasons together in Green Bay, a span during which the team won the Super Bowl after the 2010 season and Rodgers took home two MVP awards.

McCarthy said during his introductory press conference in January that he thought Rodgers was a "great asset" for the Steelers last season, and that he would "definitely" want to reunite with his former quarterback in Pittsburgh.

When asked about his communication with the Steelers, Rodgers said Wednesday: "I've talked to Mike, I've talked to Omar. There's been no deadline that's been put in front of me. There's no contract offer, or anything, so there's nothing that I'm having to debate between."

Rodgers continued, "I'm enjoying my time with my wife, and enjoying this part of the offseason, and I think there's conversations to be had down the line, but there hasn't been any progressive conversations."

That matches what Khan told reporters during last week's NFL scouting combine, when he said the Steelers hadn't given Rodgers a deadline to make his decision.

Khan did say he didn't "foresee this going like it did last year," when Rodgers missed OTAs before agreeing to a one-year deal in early June.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in February there is a "belief around the league" that Rodgers is "supposed to give an answer by mid-March."

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo then wrote Monday that the Steelers "believe they'll get an answer from Rodgers in the next few weeks," and that "they think Rodgers is going to return for 2026."

The only quarterbacks currently under contract in Pittsburgh are Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. Receiving an answer in the near future would allow McCarthy and the Steelers to get a better understanding of their quarterback room before the March 11 opening of free agency and the April 23 start of the draft.