New coach’s press conference: Aaron Rodgers back with the Steelers?

Shortly after being named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike McCarthy was quickly confronted with the big question surrounding the organization: the future of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

At his first official press conference, the 62-year-old coach acknowledged that he was excited about the idea of reuniting with his former protégé, but did not rush into a decision.

Building on their long collaboration in Green Bay, marked in particular by a Super Bowl title, McCarthy made no secret of his appreciation for the veteran.

He believes that Rodgers remains a major asset, both in terms of his talent and his leadership, while emphasizing the importance of respecting the player's pace in his decision-making process. In his view, experienced players sometimes need to take a step back to assess the next stage of their careers after a demanding season.

The Steelers' new head coach also indicated that discussions surrounding the quarterback position are continuing internally, with no specific timeline. In collaboration with general manager Omar Khan, McCarthy wants to proceed cautiously, especially with the NFL draft approaching, where Pittsburgh will have to deal with several possible scenarios.

A key issue for the Steelers' future

This uncertainty already influenced the team's decisions in the last draft. The Steelers waited late before selecting a quarterback, ultimately betting on Will Howard from Ohio State in the sixth round.

However, the young passer's progress was hampered by an injury sustained during practice, which forced him to spend much of the season on the injured reserve list.

Rodgers' final decision will have a decisive impact on Pittsburgh's short- and medium-term strategy. A return by the veteran would offer an immediate and reassuring solution, while a decision to the contrary would force the organization to accelerate the development of its young talent or explore the free agent market. In any case, the McCarthy era is beginning with patience and strategic thinking.

This content was created with the help of AI.