Everything Mike McCarthy Said About Aaron Rodgers' New Contract, Steelers QB Room

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy isn't downplaying the arrival of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers after he agreed to return to the team on a new one-year contract.

McCarthy was asked about getting Rodgers back into the fold, and he told reporters, "Clearly what it means, you see the reaction in the building, players, coaching staff, everyone was extremely excited when the decision became official."

Rodgers returned to the Steelers on a deal worth up to $25 million for the 2026 campaign. The 42-year-old led Pittsburgh to a 10-7 record last season and an AFC North title before the team lost to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round.

McCarthy went on to explain that the Steelers were in constant communication with Rodgers recently, and the goal was to have him back in time for OTAs this week.

"There was a lot of conversation that went on, particularly the last five or six weeks," McCarthy told reporters. "But being here for OTAs, in my view, is what I was looking for and what he was looking for. And we'll get the work done that we need to get done."

Rodgers' return gives the Steelers four quarterbacks heading into training camp, with veteran backup Mason Rudolph, second-year pro Will Howard and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar all on the roster. McCarthy declared that he would be willing to retain all four of them this season and joked that he's hoping for roster expansion.

"We're hoping [general manager] Omar [Khan] can get the roster expanded to 55 so we can keep all four QBs," McCarthy told reporters.

McCarthy will be coaching Rodgers for the first time since he parted ways with the Green Bay Packers in 2018, so the Steelers are certainly hoping they can rekindle their magic to help lead the team back to the playoffs this year.