Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots will have a very difficult stretch to begin the 2026 NFL season. It just got tougher.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Saturday night the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially signed former MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers agreed to terms on a one-year deal, sources tell NFL Network,” wrote Pelissero.
“Now entering his 22nd NFL season, Rodgers reunites with Mike McCarthy for one more run in Pittsburgh.”
Two days before Rodgers’ signing, the NFL announced the Patriots would host the Steelers in their home opener during Week 2 of the 2026 season. Kickoff for that contest is set for 1 pm ET on Sunday, Sept. 20.
With Rodgers back, the Patriots will face one of the greatest quarterbacks in history in that matchup. If Rodgers hadn’t returned, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar or Will Howard would have been in line to start for Pittsburgh.
Mike Vrabel, Patriots Set to Face Aaron Rodgers in Home Opener
A lot of pundits saw the Steelers re-signing Rodgers as a foregone conclusion this offseason. That’s largely been the case since Pittsburgh hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin as head coach.
But Rodgers dragged out his free agency decision again this spring. That casted some doubt over whether Rodgers would play.
The Steelers also drafted Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Some pundits argued Pittsburgh should start its future immediately with either Allar or Howard behind center in 2026.
Should the Steelers have taken that approach, they likely would have accepted not competing this fall, especially early. Allar and Howard both don’t have any NFL experience.
Meanwhile, Rudolph is 1-5 in his past six NFL starts.
Even at 42 years old, Rodgers will prove to be a more formidable foe for the Patriots in their home opener.
Last season, Rodgers and the Steelers defeated the Patriots 21-14 in Week 3. It was one of their three losses of the 2025 regular season.
Drake Maye to Square Off Against 4-Time MVP QB Again
Maye nearly joined Rodgers as an NFL MVP quarterback last season. Maye should have plenty of more opportunities to win that award in his career.
But in Week 2, it could be Maye’s final chance to beat Rodgers.
The Patriots quarterback already did that in the 2024 campaign. During Week 8 of that season, Maye won his first game as a starter versus Rodgers when he was with the New York Jets.
Maye had a rushing touchdown in the 25-22 victory. Through the air, though, Maye went 3 of 6 with 23 passing yards.
Last season against Rodgers, Maye completed 28 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. It was a game that the Patriots probably should have won.
But New England turned it over five times. Maye threw an interception and lost a fumble. His interception came near the Steelers goal line with the Patriots about to score at least a field goal.
Maye also took five sacks in 21-14 defeat.
Maye made his first home opener start for the Patriots last year. That was also a loss, which in retrospect, was a surprising defeat. New England fell to the Las Vegas Raiders 20-13.
A playoff matchup next January is always possible. But Maye can likely finish with a winning record against Rodgers in his career should he be able to knock off the Steelers in Week 2.
It’s hard to call any September showdown a must-win, but it might be for the Patriots considering their schedule. In each of its first four games, New England faces four teams who won 10 games during 2025.
Of those contests, only the Steelers matchup will be at home.
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