Steelers' Art Rooney II talks Mike McCarthy hire, says door 'open' for ...
Steelers president Art Rooney II on Sunday discussed his team's decision to hire Mike McCarthy as its next head coach.
www.nfl.comHere’s the latest on the topics you asked about:
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Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers
- Multiple outlets in January–April 2026 reported that Steelers coach Mike McCarthy has kept in regular contact with Aaron Rodgers and left the door open for a potential reunion, while noting Rodgers’ decision was still pending as of spring 2026. The Steelers have publicly indicated they’re preparing for multiple scenarios, including Rodgers’ potential return or continuing with their current quarterback roster. These developments were covered by CBS Sports, Yardbarker, Sportskeeda, and others in early 2026.[1][2][4][5]
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Steelers context
- Art Rooney II and the Steelers organization emphasized that Rodgers’ decision timeline was not finalized, suggesting they expect to hear from him in the near term but would proceed with contingency plans in the meantime. This was highlighted in statements around Rooney’s comments and McCarthy’s remarks about ongoing dialogue.[5][10]
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Aaron Rodgers’ status
- Reports throughout early 2026 indicated Rodgers had not publicly committed to returning for the 2026 season and that conversations with McCarthy continued, with sources noting uncertainty about Rodgers’ plans. Several outlets referenced his consideration of reuniting with McCarthy but did not confirm a final decision.[3][8]
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- The Steelers are positioning for options: Rodgers if he returns, or alternative QBs like Will Howard or Mason Rudolph if Rodgers stays retired or signs elsewhere. This framing appeared consistently in coverage from January to April 2026.[7][1]
Would you like me to pull the most recent direct quotes or summarize the exact timelines from a specific article? I can also provide a short digest of what each main outlet reported.[1][5][7]