Mike Tomlin’s decision to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers may have also made Aaron Rodgers’ decision for him.
Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh’s coach on Tuesday, ending a 19-year run in the job. The coach’s decision could also have a significant impact on Rodgers, who is a free agent but has not firmly announced whether he will continue playing.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Tomlin’s departure makes Rodgers significantly less likely to return to Pittsburgh next season.
“With Mike Tomlin now out with the Steelers, it’s really hard to imagine that would be good news for Aaron Rodgers’ return,” Rapoport said. “Obviously, when you have a new head coach and you have a full reset an organization like the Steelers have never had, it would make sense to start over in all the places.
“To my knowledge, this decreases the chances that Aaron Rodgers would be back in Pittsburgh. The opportunity to run it back with Mike Tomlin would have made sense, but to come back with a new coach and a new system … hard to imagine Aaron Rodgers coming back.”
From our breaking news segment: With Mike Tomlin stepping away from the #Steelers, it makes it less likely that Aaron Rodgers will be back. pic.twitter.com/JN0sKFODVM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2026
Rodgers has spoken very highly of Tomlin all season and made it clear how much he enjoyed playing for the coach. He did so again Monday night after the team was eliminated from the playoffs. If Tomlin was a big reason Rodgers came to Pittsburgh in the first place, the coach’s departure probably shuts the door on his own return.
Rodgers may well retire, which would render the entire discussion moot. He has left the door open to playing another year, and previous reports have indicated that the Steelers were interested in keeping him around for one more season. Tomlin’s decision may have changed everything.
