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Aaron Rodgers.
Much of the Steelers fanbase has assumed the Aaron Rodgers experiment in Pittsburgh would be limited to one season, largely due to Rodgers’ age. The legendary quarterback is now 42 and has played 21 NFL seasons, making retirement an inevitable consideration.
However, recent developments suggest there may be potential for a Rodgers–Steelers reunion in 2026, should Rodgers be open to continuing his playing career.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said, “My understanding is if Rodgers did want to return for next season, the Steelers have really enjoyed the experience, would be more than open to it, they hope to get an answer sooner rather than later, like they did last offseason.”
Rodgers has put together a solid season, leading the Steelers to a 10–7 record and an AFC North title. It will be interesting to see whether Rodgers is open to returning next season, as he’ll be turning 43 years old.
GettyQB Aaron Rodgers.
What We Have Heard From Rodgers So Far
Rodgers shared some insight into his thoughts about his future after the season when he spoke to the media on December 31.
“I’m 42, and I’m on a one-year deal. You know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent. That’ll give me a lot of options if I still want to play — not a lot of options, but … I would think maybe one or two if I decide I still want to play,” Rodgers said, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
It is also clear that Rodgers has enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh.
“I feel like there would be a little hole in my life missing without having this chapter. So I’m thankful for this time.”
Rodgers has put up some better numbers than he has the past few season in Pittsburgh, even with what many would say is not a very strong receiving core.
“Rodgers is having fun, too. He threw 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions and had his highest completion percentage (65.7%) since 2021. Success looked different for Rodgers this season as he averaged a career-low 5.9 air yards per attempt,” wrote Pryor.
GettyRodgers led the Steelers to a 10-7 record.
Rodgers Has a Strong Bond with Mike Tomlin
Obviously, for Steelers fans hoping for a Rodgers return next season, it is an encouraging sign that Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin appear to have a strong relationship.
When talking about Rodgers, Tomlin said, “He loves the process as much as he loves competing. He’s got an awesome relationship with football. He’s at the point in his career where he’s really reflective and excited about giving back to the game and the young people in the game. And so it’s fun to do that with him,” according to Pryor.
Rodgers has also been highly impressed with Tomlin’s coaching career.
“We love Mike T, and Mike T has had an incredible career as a head coach to go that long and never have a losing season. It’s unbelievable,” said Rodgers, according to Pryor.
GettyRodgers and Tomlin.
Eagles Sign 1,500-Yard ‘Freak’ Former Chiefs RB
The Philadelphia Eagles are going to do what amounts to almost a complete revamp of their offense this offseason.
It’s what happens after you win a Super Bowl one season with what seems like an unstoppable offense one year and seem completely lost on that side of the ball in the next — and pulled off that backslide with 10 of 11 starters returning.
That revamp means bringing in players who might give the offense some new life — not in terms of starting roles but in terms of depth.
“Former Chiefs RB Carson Steele is signing a futures deal with the Eagles, per his agent Randy M. Fisher,” NFL reporter Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Tuesday, January 13.
The Eagles are sure to have a busy offseason after losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Steele Made Chiefs as Undrafted Free Agent
Steele has actually faced the Eagles before — he was on the roster for the Chiefs in their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles on February 9, 2025
His path to get there was highly unusual. The 6-foot, 228-pound Greenwood, Indiana, native racked up 2,770 yards of total offense and 22 total touchdowns in 2 seasons at Ball State, including 1,556 rushing yards in 2022.
In one season with UCLA, Steele had 1,010 yards of total offense and 6 total touchdowns in 2023 while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He earned a certain amount of fame for making The Athletic’s “Freaks List” twice after he squatted 615 pounds and bench-pressed 405 pounds as a freshman.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had Steele projected as a priority free agent.
“Steele is a ball of muscle in human form. He has the contact balance and leg strength to squeeze the most out of a carry,” Zierlein wrote. “He has decent vision but can be a bit sluggish with short-area cuts, allowing the defense to quickly rally and tackle. Steele’s value will be as a short-yardage specialist who can help wear down defenses in a downhill attack.”
After going undrafted, Steele made the Chiefs as a fullback in 2024 and played in all 17 games, earning Pro Bowl alternate honors as the runner-up in fullback voting to Patrick Ricard of the Baltimore Ravens.
Steele was one of the last roster cuts by the Chiefs in 2025 and spent the entire season on their practice squad.
Eagles Rushing Attack Fell Apart in 2025
Eagles star Saquon Barkley had one of the greatest seasons for a running back in NFL history in 2024, becoming just the ninth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a regular season and doing so in just 16 games.
Along with winning the Super bowl, Barkley was a Pro Bowler, NFL All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He cashed out big in the offseason, signing a 2-year, $41.2 million contract extension which made him the first running back in NFL history to make $20 million in average annual salary.
In 2025, Barkley saw his stats almost cut in half with the exact same offensive unit around him, rushing for just 1,140 yards and 7 touchdowns in 16 games.
