During an offseason in which Mike Tomlin resigned, Mike McCarthy was hired, and more than 30 new players were added to the roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers were rather busy reshaping things.

The Steelers put together a strong coaching staff under McCarthy, and made some savvy moves in free agency with the additions of running back Rico Dowdle, cornerback Jamel Dean, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and safety Jaquan Brisker, not to mention their trade for receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

The 2026 draft class wasn’t flashy, but the Steelers added 10 players, creating depth at positions of need.

Then, the Steelers capped the offseason by re-signing Aaron Rodgers for a second season under center.

And for Check The Mic podcast hosts Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo, the Steelers’ offseason grades rides on the 42-year-old quarterback.

“I would say I would give the Steelers a better offseason probably in the Bs just based off those additions, and I think the Rodgers move just depends on what your appetite is for moving on to the future and just making one last go of it. Because the one last go of it is like, yeah, it’s an eight to 10-win team,” Palazzolo said, according to video via YouTube. “The one thing I’ll say though with Tomlin out, they still have a lot of defensive talent and there’s a chance that this defense is more consistent and better. And if they are, Pittman makes the offense better. And I think maybe Mike McCarthy makes the offense a little bit better.

“They have a chance to be a little bit better on both sides of the ball and maybe they’re slightly better as a team. But I would say the offseason’s more good than bad for them.”

Tomlin resigning shortly after their blowout loss in the playoffs was a shock, but the Steelers pivoted quickly and put together a strong offseason. Removing the Rodgers discussion for a second, Khan and McCarthy added experienced veterans to major positions of need. They didn’t overspend, and they got better in a hurry.

The real question is Rodgers though. He’s going to turn 43 years old during the season, and while he had some good moments in 2025 and was a solid leader for Pittsburgh, he doesn’t exactly move the needle in 2026, even with the McCarthy reunion.

The hope is the offense is better around him from the pass catchers to the offensive line and the running game. On paper, that all appears to be the case, so hopefully Rodgers doesn’t have a heavy lift.

But the Steelers’ decision to bring him back is something Monson just can’t move past.

“The offseason was definitely all about, ‘Well, let’s hope Aaron Rodgers is willing to have one last go round,’ but it’s not immediately clear to me that that even makes them that much better anymore,” Monson said. “So that’s why it’s interesting. I don’t really see the difference between a C-plus and an F based on what Aaron Rodgers is bringing anymore.

“I would feel better about their offseason if they had gone after Malik Willis and just said, ‘Thanks, Aaron; didn’t work out, see you on the other side.’”

Many wanted Pittsburgh to pursue Malik Willis at quarterback this offseason. But the Steelers didn’t do it and saw the Dolphins pay him big money. So, they are rolling with Rodgers.

It might work, it might not. That’s the path the Steelers chose under center, while also focusing on trying to develop rookie third-round pick Drew Allar and second-year pro Will Howard.