Aaron Rodgers Could Return To Steelers In 2026 And Have His Former Backup As Offensive Coordinator

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't exactly pass the test of the fan base when the decision was made to choose Mike McCarthy to be Mike Tomlin's successor. The most logical explanation for the hiring has to be that the veteran coach comes from an offensive background and has worked with several top-tier quarterbacks throughout his NFL coaching career. The organization is struggling in that area for the long-term, which could be one of the deciding factors in bringing in the Super Bowl XLV champion. Now the question becomes, who will be under center in 2026, and could it be Aaron Rodgers returning for one more season?

McCarthy and Rodgers could blend well together for a year in the Steel City, but it would upset the loyal fans that have been desperate for several years to understand the team's vision for the future at the position. Overall, however, the two veterans known each other well, and McCarthy is likely to be the one calling the plays, as he has done the majority of his years spent as a head coach.

The Steelers will still need to give an offensive coordinator title to someone, though. In these situations, a coach like McCarthy will likely bring someone in that he is familiar with. A young option could be on the horizon, and a name to keep an eye on isn't just an individual who was on McCarthy's staff with the Dallas Cowboys, but a former quarterback himself that backed Rodgers up in Green Bay.

Scott Tolzien didn't have an illustrious NFL career, but he knows both McCarthy and Rodgers well, as he was with the Green Bay Packers' organization from 2013 through 2015. The best players don't always make the best coaches, and vice versa, but Tolzien has worked his way up the ranks, and is currently operating as the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Recently, Brian Batko combed through several different names that could become relevant for the Steelers in the coming days and weeks. Tolzien was one of them when pondering offensive coordinator options.

"Remember those ex-Packers players McCarthy helped in the NFL coaching ranks? Tolzien, 38, is one of them," Batko wrote. "He was your classic backup or third-string quarterback for a few years behind Rodgers, then behind Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, after a decent college career at Wisconsin."

While his playing career wasn't impressive by any stretch of the means, Tolzien boasts solid experience for a 38-year-old. He could be ready for the next step, and Rodgers could be his signal-caller for a year.

"Tolzien worked his way up from coaching assistant to quarterbacks coach under McCarthy in Dallas and now has the same role with New Orleans, where he presided over rookie Tyler Shough’s improvement throughout this season."

It is a good thing to point out that Tyler Shough emerged in 2025 as a legitimate option to be the Saints' franchise quarterback. Once he got the rookie jitters out of the way, he performed well, and Tolzien certainly deserves some credit for that.

Steelers Won't Base An Offensive Coordinator Hire Off Of Rodgers

No one is quite sure when Rodgers will decide if he wants to return to the Steel City in 2026 or not. That is exactly why McCarthy will build his staff without his former quarterback in mind. There is no reason to base just one season off of a 42-year-old who may or may not be up to playing for one more year. Regardless of the future Hall of Famer's decision, Tolzien remains a person to watch in Pittsburgh's search for its next offensive coordinator.

Do you think that the Steelers should give Tolzien a look? Let us know in the comments below!

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