Mike Tomlin didn’t take long to make noise in his new role. In his first appearance with NBC Sports, the former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach offered a firm, almost instinctive read on Aaron Rodgers’ future. Asked what the veteran quarterback will do in 2026, Tomlin didn’t hedge. He leaned on what he saw up close over the past year and made it clear he expects Rodgers to keep playing. The comment landed with weight, not just because of Tomlin’s voice, but because of how recently he was inside that building.
Why does Mike Tomlin believe Aaron Rodgers will still play in 2026?
Mike Tomlin’s answer wasn’t built on speculation. It came from a year of daily exposure to Aaron Rodgers, both in public settings and behind closed doors. “If you had a gun to my head, I would say it’s AR,” Tomlin said, before explaining what stood out most. “I just think being around him for the 12 months that I was around him, he had a love affair for the game of football, and not only the game, but the process. The informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction of teammates, I think he has an addiction to that.“There’s only one way to feed it, and certainly, he is still capable and in very good shape.“So I think at the end of the day, he’ll play football.”It wasn’t just praise. It felt like a coach recognizing a pattern. Tomlin pointed to the quieter parts of the job, the routine, the teaching, the locker room exchanges. Those details often fade for aging players. In Rodgers’ case, Tomlin suggests they haven’t. That matters more than arm strength or stats at this stage of a career.
What does Aaron Rodgers’ uncertain offseason mean for the Steelers’ quarterback plans?
Tomlin’s confidence doesn’t erase the uncertainty around Rodgers’ timeline. The quarterback has yet to confirm his plans, and his recent history suggests patience is required. As Mike Florio noted, “Rodgers may have an addiction to the process; he has an aversion to the offseason program,” adding, “Last year, he waited to sign until the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.”That waiting game complicates things in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have already added Drew Allar through the draft, while Mason Rudolph and Will Howard remain in the room. It’s not a placeholder group. It’s a crowded one. Still, none of those options carries the same immediate ceiling as Rodgers, even at this stage.League-wide movement has also narrowed his choices. Most teams addressed quarterback needs before or during the draft, leaving few clear landing spots. If Rodgers plays, Pittsburgh feels like the most natural fit. That connection goes both ways. Rodgers once pointed to Tomlin as a key reason for joining the team.Now Tomlin is gone, but his read lingers. It doesn’t settle the question, but it sharpens it. Rodgers’ future may still be undecided publicly. Inside the league, though, the expectation is starting to take shape.
