The news of Mike McCarthy's hire as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been met with lukewarm reactions.
Some fans hate the idea, citing a missed opportunity to bring in a young, offensive mind to spearhead the team.
But McCarthy, who was born in Pittsburgh, now sits in the big chair, where Mike Tomlin sat for nearly two decades, and attention has already turned to a potential reunion with Aaron Rodgers for McCarthy.
With Rodgers showing signs that there is still some juice in the tank, it's unclear whether No. 8 will return to the Steel City in 2026.
But McCarthy wants him to if that's what Rodgers wants.
"I mean definitely," McCarthy said via ESPN. "I don't see why you wouldn't.... I have spoken to Aaron, and so that's really where we are there, but I was able to sit back and watch the games and watch most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and I thought he was a great asset for the team."
More: ESPN analyst not a fan of Steelers' hire of Mike McCarthy
McCarthy and Rodgers in 2026?
Having Rodgers back is an interesting thought, and I'm not sure how fans would feel about it.
With Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster, McCarthy, who has a knack for developing quarterbacks, has two younger options...but they aren't Rodgers.
Mentally, Rodgers is still one of the best in football, but physically, maybe not so much.
The next few weeks will be an interesting watch because if Rodgers does return under his former head coach, that might lift the ceiling on Pittsburgh in 2026.
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