Given the offensive-minded background new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy brings, it will be interesting to see if the offense can reach greater heights and improve compared to the 2025 season. With the offseason acquisitions made, his veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers will look to put up big numbers in what he has said is his final NFL season. One legend however, questions if he'll get the protection he needs.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy (left) and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) chat before a home preseason game in 2026 at Acrisure Stadium.
On Tuesday, former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hosted an episode of his Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger podcast. He mentioned that there is potential for a huge season from the four-time NFL MVP; however, he also exercised caution with one question surrounding the offense entering Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.
“That’s going to be the question going into this thing is Aaron, is getting a little bit older,” Roethlisberger explained. “That’s how time works. He’s got weapons to get the ball to. Tight end, running back, receivers especially. We know he knows the offense. This is his thing. But is he going to have the time to get the ball out?”
The offensive line is certainly a unit that will have a keen eye on it in the 2026 NFL season. With limited media availability under McCarthy, many are wondering if veteran Dylan Cook will get the start at right tackle, or if rookie Max Iheanachor has shown enough despite being able to appear in just one preseason game due to injury. For a quarterback entering the season at 42 years old, the offensive line has to hold up and protect their signal-caller for him to be able to sling the ball around.
Roethlisberger also mentioned the weapons that Rodgers will have at his disposal. The group is led by star receiver DK Metcalf, followed by 2026 offseason acquisition Michael Pittman Jr. Running back Rico Dowdle also joins Jaylen Warren in the backfield, but the real wild cards will be third-year receiver Roman Wilson, and the rookie Germie Bernard out of Alabama. Roethlisberger believes this will be more than enough for Rodgers, not to mention tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. However, with questions at the tackle position on the offensive line, that's where the lack of confidence arises.
The Black and Gold are looking to turn around an offense that finished the 2025 season with some brutal finishing marks. In total offense, they ranked 25th in the league with 305.6 yards per game. The passing offense was just a little bit better as they finished 22nd in that category with a 202.4 yards per game average. If the Steelers want to make the necessary leap, according to Roethlisberger, it will start with protecting Rodgers.
Steelers Have Ingredients For Success If Rodgers Is Kept Upright
Given the proactive strategy by General Manager Omar Khan and the front office to go out and bring in talent externally in the 2026 offseason, the ingredients are there for an offensive turnaround this season. The wide receiver room, at least on paper, looks better than it has when entering the past couple of seasons in the Steel City. Rodgers is also the type of quarterback that has the experience where he will know where he wants to go with the football on each and every passing opportunity.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) operates behind the offensive line during a regular season game against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 season.
The veteran quarterback also has had plenty of prior experience working with his head coach given their time with the Green Bay Packers. Ironically enough, the won Super Bowl win by Rodgers in his career came against Pittsburgh. Now the duo has the chance to deliver playoff success to the franchise for the first time in nearly a decade. If they are going to do so, the offensive line will be critical in keeping their quarterback upright in 2026.
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