[ad_1]
Aaron Rodgers is officially back.
The longtime NFL quarterback spoke with reporters on Wednesday, giving his first comments since agreeing to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second season over the weekend.
Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from Rodgers in 2026 with a little game of True or False?
Aaron Rodgers is Pittsburgh’s best chance at contending in 2026.
The last two years for Rodgers and the Steelers have been a marriage of convenience, with the four-time MVP not ready to retire and the Black and Gold desperately in need of a quarterback. Pittsburgh’s other options are six-year veteran Mason Rudolph, second-year pro Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar, not exactly a group any team should find suitable heading into offseason workouts. Rodgers at least gives the Steelers some hope they can repeat as AFC North champs, even if he can’t be expected to guide them any further than that. | TRUE
Rodgers will bounce back in reunion with Mike McCarthy.
On the surface, Rodgers’ 2026 numbers look more than respectable, with the 21-year vet completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. But those don’t tell the complete story. Per NFL Pro data, he finished the season No. 21 out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks in expected points added per dropback (-0.04) while ranking last in air yards per attempt (5.9). He was particularly ineffective against the blitz, with only first-year starters Cam Ward and J.J. McCarthy producing less EPA per dropback.
The last time Rodgers and McCarthy shared a sideline with the Green Bay Packers, things didn’t exactly go well, either. Following a 2018 Week 4 win over the Buffalo Bills, Rodgers lamented what he deemed a subpar offensive effort, telling reporters, “We need to find ways to get our playmakers in position to get some more opportunities,” per ESPN.
“It’s by the plan,” Rodgers answered when asked what a fix might entail. Just because time has smoothed over any hard feelings doesn’t mean Rodgers and McCarthy will see eye-to-eye during the season, fueling doubts about the duo’s ability to get the most out of the reunion. | FALSE
Steelers will make the playoffs.
While Rodgers represents Pittsburgh’s best path to relevancy this season, it’s going to have an uphill climb to win back-to-back division titles. The Cincinnati Bengals made an aggressive effort to get back to the playoffs with several offseason signings, while the Baltimore Ravens will once again be a threat. Last season, they nearly eliminated the Steelers from playoff contention in Week 18, only to lose, 26-24, on a last-second missed field goal. With slightly less luck, Pittsburgh would have gone on vacation a week earlier. It would hardly be a surprise if the Steelers were less fortunate this time around. | FALSE
Rodgers will finish the season as starting quarterback.
With so many ways the season can go wrong, Pittsburgh may feel inclined to give Allar or Howard a shot before evaluating full-time replacements in 2027. But with Rodgers saying, “Yes. This is it,” when asked if he plans on retiring after the upcoming season, we find it hard to believe the Steelers and McCarthy would spoil his farewell tour, meaning they’re stuck with him for better or worse. | TRUE
This really is Rodgers’ final season.
It’s hard to take Rodgers at his word, but when he told reporters on Wednesday that he plans on 2026 being his last, we tend to believe him. Rodgers mentioned playing for McCarthy, his first NFL coach, as a “full circle” moment, making this a fitting, unique end to a Hall of Fame career. | TRUE
[ad_2]
Source link
