The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently going through training camp as the team prepares for the 2026 regular season, and Aaron Rodgers will be under center for the team once again. This marks the first time since the 2020 and 2021 seasons that the franchise has had the same starting quarterback scheduled to play in back-to-back season openers. That continuity is important, and Mike McCarthy bringing his new and refreshed offense into the fold is another reason for optimism. Fans are getting a glimpse at how that offense might look during training camp, but the offense will also be seen on the field in the preseason.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy smiles with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in 2026.
Rodgers did not participate in the preseason games at all leading up to the 2025 season, and he was adamant in saying that he did not want to when he was asked about it by the media. However, the veteran quarterback might be changing his tune about that in 2026. He has not said anything publicly to the media, but he told Michael Silver in an exclusive interview with The Athletic that he has talked with his head coach and the plan seems to be for him to play during the preseason. This may surprise some fans as the quarterback is 42 years old, but it will be good to see the offense get acclimated early on.
"McCarthy has asked him to play in Pittsburgh’s first two preseason games — against the Packers and Jets, as fate would have it — and the quarterback, who last saw significant exhibition-game action eight seasons ago, is prepared to do so," Silver wrote.
The quarterback last played in the 2023 preseason for the New York Jets, but it was just a few series. His coach asked him to play this season, and the quarterback shared a bit of how that conversation went.
"'He wants me out there for 30 or 40 plays,' Rodgers said, expressing surprise. 'I said, Mike, if you want me to play, I’ll play. I’m not saying I want to do it. But if he wants me to, I will,'" Silver wrote.
Rodgers is prepared to do what his head coach is asking of him, even though many fans would probably feel better if he did not step foot on the field until the regular season was underway. However, it is a new offensive system, and he has new weapons to build chemistry with. That will happen during training camp, but it is also good to get some experience against some unfamiliar opponents.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.
Rodgers said his coach would like him to play 30 to 40 snaps across the first two preseason games, which is fairly significant for a player with his experience. Both games come against his former teams as the preseason opener is against the Green Bay Packers and the second game is against the Jets. Both games will be in Pittsburgh, and the matchup with the Packers is on August 13th.
Steelers Must Be Preparing The Entire Offense To Take Preseason Snaps
If Rodgers is being asked to play in the preseason, that likely means that every player is suiting up. This is true for a few reasons, the first being that Rodgers needs to build chemistry with those who he will be on the field with during the regular season. The second is that he is 42 years old. If the head coach is asking him to play, that means there likely isn't anyone on the offense he doesn't want to see play.
It will be interesting to see if that is how things work with the defense as well. That side of the ball has been more prone to injury over the years, and it would probably be better just to let guys like Cam Heyward and TJ Watt wait to take the field until the regular season.
What do you think about Rodgers playing in the preseason? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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