Aaron Rodgers pursuit hits a roadblock as Steelers miss out on ex-teammate and No. 1 OC target

Pittsburgh Steelers fans may want to look away.

Aaron Rodgers was reportedly ready to run it back with the Steelers for the 2026 NFL season.

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Rodgers played through the 2025 campaign with much of the discourse centered around whether or not the 42-year-old quarterback was going to retire after the conclusion of his one-year deal.

Of late, though, the narrative appears to have flipped a total 180 degrees.

Although Rodgers initially noncommittal about his future following the Steelers’ 30-6 blowout loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, head coach Mike Tomlin then resigned from the role he held for 19 years.

Having only had three head coaches in their franchise history until this point, the Steel City made experienced head coach Mike McCarthy their fourth, despite pushback from the fans.

Rodgers also happened to win his lone Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers with McCarthy at the helm.

McCarthy still trying to build his staff

McCarthy’s appointment could have been a ploy to tempt Rodgers to have one last dance in what would be the 22nd year of his NFL career.

But one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history may need more convincing than that, and the Steelers were hoping that they could pry away quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien from the New Orleans Saints.

They had plans to make him their new offensive coordinator and pair him with the veteran QB, with whom he shared a locker room as his backup in Green Bay.

However, Pittsburgh were dealt a huge blow when Tolzien – who had worked under McCarthy when he was at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys – informed them that he would be remaining with Kellen Moore’s coaching staff, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

It seemed he preferred the opportunity to help develop a young quarterback in Tyler Shough who enjoyed his rookie campaign.

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It’s interesting that Tolzien opted not to take the promotion, though it could have something to do with the fact that McCarthy – who had an emotional introductory press conference – has already admitted he will be calling the plays.

But the 38-year-old wasn’t the only member of the Saints coaching staff to reject an opportunity to work under McCarthy in Pittsburgh.

Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett also interviewed for a position on the 62-year-old’s staff on Monday, but has instead opted to remain in The Big Easy.

What this means for Rodgers remains to be seen with the 21-year veteran having remained coy on his future.

With that in mind, the Steelers may feel that it is best to pivot to focusing on preparing up-and-coming quarterback Will Howard to take over the offensive reins in the meantime.

McCarthy appears to be a fan of the former Kansas State Wildcat and Ohio State Buckeye, so could yet present him with an opportunity to take to an NFL field for the very first time in 2026.

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