Report: Aaron Rodgers makes huge Steelers decision after Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh departure

Aaron Rodgers is not expected to continue with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 following head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to step down after this season’s Wild Card round.

After 19 years in charge of the Steelers, Tomlin called it quits after Pittsburgh was heavily beaten by the Houston Texans in the first game of the postseason. The 53-year-old never oversaw a losing season, giving him the NFL record for most consecutive non-losing seasons as a head coach.

Tomlin steps down after Pittsburgh pressure

Despite that record, Tomlin had come under increasing pressure, much to Rodgers’ unhappiness. After winning the Super Bowl in the coach’s second year in 2008, Pittsburgh was unable to replicate that early success in recent years. Under Tomlin, the Steelers have lost seven straight postseason games, with their last win coming in the 2016 season.

The Virginia native had been on the hot seat at the end of last season, and another playoff disappointment ultimately convinced him to leave his position. It appears that decision has had a significant impact on Rodgers as he weighs his own future.

Rodgers reportedly won’t return

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport, Rodgers “is not expected to return to Pittsburgh,” mainly as a result of Tomlin’s departure.

Immediately after the humbling loss to the Texans, the veteran quarterback launched a scathing attack on the media for speculating about whether Tomlin deserved to lose his job after another playoff defeat.

“Mike Tomlin has had more success than nearly anybody in the league for the last 19 or 20 years,” Rodgers said. “More than that, when you have the right guys and the culture is right, you don’t think about making a change. There’s a lot of pressure that comes from the outside, and obviously that sways decisions from time to time. But that’s not how I would do things.”

Technically, Tomlin left of his own accord, although it seems Rodgers is staying loyal to his now-former head coach, who was one of the main reasons the 42-year-old ended up in Pittsburgh in the first place.

What’s next for Aaron Rodgers? One more year or retirement?

Rodgers hinted before the season that he would retire after the 2025 campaign, although he has since suggested he could be tempted to continue for an extra year. The four-time MVP hasn’t committed to a decision either way, although it now looks certain a potential final year won’t be happening in Pittsburgh.

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