The odds of an Aaron Rodgers-Steelers reunion seem pretty good, and Mark Kaboly doesn’t see the downside. The future Hall of Famer helped lead them to the playoffs in 2025, though, as usual, they didn’t get very far. A second season could breed more familiarity and success, but he would have a whole new coaching staff, too—kind of.

While the Steelers didn’t hire Aaron Rodgers’ former head coach, Mike McCarthy, for the purpose of luring him back, it won’t hurt in doing so. The two spent 13 years together in Green Bay, actually toppling the Steelers in Super Bowl XL. If Pittsburgh can put more pieces around him, it might be its best option for 2026.

“I don’t see any harm in bringing him back whatsoever. I still think he plays extremely well for his age. I think he gives them the best chance to win right now. We know that’s Art Rooney [II’s priority]”, Mark Kaboly said on the #1 Cochran Sports Showdown. “What’s the worst thing that can happen”?

Kaboly mentioned that Rodgers could mentor Will Howard, the Steelers’ 2025 sixth-round quarterback. New HC Mike McCarthy is a fan, too, and also wants to develop the entire quarterback room. Even in the event the Steelers draft a rookie quarterback, Kaboly still believes Rodgers is their best option in 2026.

“I don’t see anything wrong with him coming back to have a chance to win”, he said. “You have to add the pieces. Remember what the wide receiver position looked last year. He was pretty much hamstrung. And now you’ve got two pretty good offensive line coaches. I don’t see any downside”.

Kaboly eventually did find one potential downside of an Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy reunion, allowing for the possibility that he struggles significantly but the coaching staff refuses to bench him. Then again, I don’t know that that is a significant downside if it means improving the Steelers’ draft stock. Sure, you miss out on seeing Will Howard in that scenario. But is there a scenario in which Will Howard is a better prospect than a top-10 pick in 2027?

After contemplating retirement, Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers last June and went 10-6. He went 327-of-498 passing for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. It was far from excellent but should have been enough to make these Pro Bowl Games.

While Rodgers supposedly joined the Steelers to play for Mike Tomlin, the Steelers now have Mike McCarthy. And they have a bunch of Rodgers’ other former coaches, too, including OL coach James Campen. Indeed, he may find more familiarity in Pittsburgh now than he did last season.

And Rodgers seemed to genuinely enjoy his time here, and with his Steelers teammates. Guys like Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, Ben Skowronek and the offensive line, all seem to have become close friends and associates of his. And unless Will Howard turns out to be magic, I don’t know that they have access to a better quarterback. In my book, that includes Malik Willis.