The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has been extremely inconsistent through the first four weeks of the 2026 regular season. The offense looked very flat in the team's first two contests, but was able to show more explosiveness in Weeks 3 and 4. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a slow start, but has now thrown for 290+ yards and 3 touchdowns in each of the last two games. This has resulted in more points being scored, but something about the offense still is not clicking. It seems like the Steelers cannot stay consistent in their offensive gameplan. Could Rodgers' expertise be the fix?
Charles LeClaire / IMAGN Images
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and Quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a 2026 preseason game.
Rodgers and new head coach Mike McCarthy have a long history together that includes a Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers. The two have very decorated careers and seemed like a perfect match in the Steel City. While it has been a rocky start, the offense has shown a lot of promise with this duo running things.
From recent clips and interview scrums, it appears that there have been some disagreements between the legendary quarterback and head coach. This is a common occurrence in the high-pressure environment that is the NFL gridiron. This should not cause much concern, but it does beg one major question: who should be getting the final say regarding what plays are called?
Rodgers is known for his pre-snap intellect and ability to read defenses before a play even begins. On the other hand, McCarthy has a lengthy history of offensive play-calling, which is his role in Pittsburgh. During a recent episode of Kaboly + Mack Live, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly discussed the possibility of Rodgers becoming even more hands-on pre-snap.
"I would like to see more of a tempo and let Rodgers call the plays," Kaboly said. "In essence, he gets the last call. I think he already has a lot of say-so with what happens at the line."
With Rodgers' experience and familiarity with the pass-catchers, he has the ability to get the offense rolling quickly. He is able to read the field very well and this skill could add a more dynamic aspect to the offensive play-calling.
We have seen some of Rodgers' best play in Pittsburgh when his back is against the wall and the team needs a quick score. He has been doing this for over two decades in the NFL and it shows, as he is able to get hot and go wherever he wants with the ball in the blink of an eye. With Pittsburgh sitting at 2-2 and the defense dealing with a plethora of injuries, the offense will need to be able to sustain drives and keep the defense fresh to give the Steelers the best chance at winning games.
Eric Canha / IMAGN Images
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) defends quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) from New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) during the second half at Gillette Stadium.
At age 42, Rodgers still has great football left in him. His performance so far in 2026 has shown this, as he ranks 13th in the NFL in passing yards and 10th in passing touchdowns. If Pittsburgh can figure out a way to get ahead early in games and not have to fight from behind, the team can go far. It seems like the defense and offense have been a bit disconnected to begin the season, as when one unit is performing well, the other has struggled. Steelers fans know what this team is capable of; it all comes down to game plan and execution, areas that Rodgers and McCarthy have plenty of history succeeding in.
Steelers' Pass-Catchers Need To Get In A Rhythm
Through four weeks, Pittsburgh's pass catchers have struggled to get separation and consistently make plays. Rodgers has the ability to spread the ball all around the offense, which could result in a monster game from any offensive weapon if they are up to the task. The Steelers employ some solid pass-catchers in DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Pat Freiermuth, and Roman Wilson. If these guys can maximize their abilities, the offense could take off and not look back.
#SteelerNation