Mike McCarthy on wanting Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh: 'Definitely'

Mike McCarthy offered no ambiguity when asked at his introductory press conference as the Steelers' head coach whether he'd want Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh.

"Definitely," McCarthy told reporters Tuesday. "I don't see why you wouldn't."

Rodgers was McCarthy's quarterback when the latter coached the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18. Rodgers spent last season in Pittsburgh, though his future is unclear.

McCarthy said he has spoken with Rodgers, 42, who has said he wants to take time away to think before deciding whether to keep playing and where.

"Just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons, I think ... when guys are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress and I think that's very important," McCarthy said. "The game is so emotional. What these men commit to and what they put into it -- I think that time away is important."

Rodgers still has tread on the tires if he chooses not to retire, evidenced by posting his 15th season with at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes for the AFC North champs in 2025, numbers McCarthy appears to have taken notice of.

"I was able to sit back and watch most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and I thought he was a great asset to the team," McCarthy said Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh native is the Steelers' fourth head coach since 1969. He will take over the post previously held by Mike Tomlin, who coached the team from 2007-25 before stepping down earlier this month.

Tomlin followed Super Bowl winner Bill Cowher, who coached from 1992-2006. Cowher came after four-time Super Bowl champion Chuck Noll, who held the job from 1969-91.

"I understand and embrace the responsibility, the privilege and the weight that comes with this stewardship. This city, this franchise, this fan base means the world to me because Pittsburgh's my world and it's just awesome to be back here," McCarthy said in his opening remarks, quickly becoming emotional.

"My heart is full, my focus is singular and it's time to bring another championship back to this great city."

McCarthy, 62, did not coach in the NFL this season after compiling a 49-35 record -- with three 12-win seasons -- in Dallas from 2020-24. He went 125-77-2 with Green Bay and led the Packers to victory against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

McCarthy spent four years as an assistant coach in college at Pitt before beginning his NFL coaching career.

Tomlin stepped down on Jan. 13, one day after the Steelers dropped a 30-6 decision to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card game in Pittsburgh. The loss was Tomlin's seventh straight postseason defeat.

--Field Level Media