ESPN took a shot at Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rank 26th on ESPN's watchability rankings for the upcoming season.
Pittsburgh is one spot ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders and one spot behind the New York Jets.
Ben Solak doesn't think Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy will be that fun to watch in 2026.
"In a different time, an Aaron Rodgers swan song season would move the needle considerably," Solak wrote. "Though we're a few years into Rodgers' "last season" at this point, and my nostalgia for his prime has been well used. His checkdown-heavy style of play is not particularly enjoyable to watch, though the Steelers' supersized running game featuring Darnell Washington and that excellent offensive line is a pleasing view.
"The Steelers are a curiosity watch. I have faint memories of watching a Steelers team not coached by Mike Tomlin -- Bill Cowher's bristly mustache and thick turtleneck last prowled the sideline when I was 9 years old. But I've seen a lot of Mike McCarthy-coached teams, and I know what I'm in for in regards to clock management and playcalling style. A bunch of dropbacks is usually fun -- McCarthy's Dallas and Green Bay offenses passed the ball more than the average team of their era -- but in the case of a 42-year-old Rodgers, not so much."
Rodgers and McCarthy are back together. They used to work together with the Green Bay Packers.
McCarthy and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers as members of the Packers. Rodgers is glad that McCarthy will be his head coach in his final NFL season.
“The fun thing, for me, is that this is a real full-circle moment for me and Mike — the closing of my career and the end of his career being back home in Pittsburgh,” Rodgers said, via The Athletic. "The surreal aspect of it has kind of drifted a little bit, but it’s still really special to hear that voice in my head that I’ve heard for so many years.”
One of the top quarterbacks in NFL history, Rodgers put up 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. The future Hall of Famer completed 65.7% of his passes.
The Steelers won the AFC North last season but lost to the Houston Texans at home in the wild-card round of the 2026 playoffs. McCarthy was hired after Mike Tomlin stepped down from his post.
Rodgers has been in the NFL since 2005. He has played for the Packers, New York Jets and Steelers and has 527 career passing touchdowns and 66,274 career passing yards in the regular season.
A four-time MVP, Rodgers hasn't won a playoff game since the 2020 season, while the Steelers haven't won a postseason game since the 2016 season.
It will be intriguing to see how Rodgers and Co. perform in 2026.
“Just to be able to take this final lap with him, it’s awesome,” McCarthy said. “You always want to do a great job, but now to do it with him in his last chapter, it’s special.”
The Steelers begin the 2026 season at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Let's see how many touchdowns Rodgers throws for in his final NFL season opener.
