Former NFL head coach Mike Tomlin has moved onto his next career. But given his long tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers and only recent departure, he might still have some insider knowledge on the organization.
So, it was notable that during his first media appearance with NBC Sports on Sunday, Tomlin answered that Aaron Rodgers would be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026.
“If you had a gun to my head, I would say it’s AR,” Tomlin answered NBC Sports host Maria Taylor, via Steel Legends X account. “I just think being around him for the 12 months that I was around him, he had a love affair for the game of football, and not only the game, but the process. The informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction of teammates, I think he has an addiction to that.
“There’s only one way to feed it, and certainly, he is still capable and in very good shape.
“So I think at the end of the day, he’ll play football.”
Tomlin coached Rodgers for just one season. But the pair appeared to have a great relationship.
Last June, Rodgers told the media Tomlin was a major reason why he elected to sign with the Steelers in NFL free agency.
Mike Tomlin Argues Aaron Rodgers Will Play in 2026
The former Steelers head coach made his first media appearance for NBC Sports on Sunday night during the network’s NBA coverage. Taylor introduced Tomlin on NBC’s NBA Showtime.
Tomlin’s argument didn’t necessarily provide a reason why Rodgers will return to the Steelers. But if the future Hall of Fame signal-caller wants to play in 2026, the Steelers are likely his only option.
There weren’t a lot of quarterback openings before the 2026 NFL Draft. Now with the draft in the rear view mirror, there are even fewer.
One example of that is the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona had veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on the roster entering the draft, and then the Cardinals added Carson Beck in the second round.
The Steelers drafted Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But the team still has a starter opening behind center waiting for Rodgers.
Rodgers Receives Fresh Criticism After Tomlin’s Answer on Steelers QB Situation
Tomlin’s response on Rodgers on Sunday night was completely positive. But it didn’t come without some negative irony.
While Rodgers might be addicted to “the process,” he also seems to love a fix of offseason drama, which includes months of “will he or won’t he” play in the upcoming season.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio made note of that Sunday evening.
“Rodgers may have an addiction to the process; he has an aversion to the offseason program,” wrote Florio. “Last year, he waited to sign until the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.”
It’s worth noting, though, that Florio doesn’t appear to be on good terms with Rodgers.
Florio “guessed” last offseason that Rodgers was searching for a 2-year, $90 million contract. The quarterback didn’t address Florio by name but appeared to rip that report during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show after signing with Pittsburgh last June.
In addition to Allar, the Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on their roster at quarterback. If the team re-signs Rodgers, the Steelers will likely have to part with one of their other signal-callers.
But pundits expect the team to do that, with either Rudolph or Howard the likely candidates.
Mike Tomlin Answers Who Will Play QB for Steelers in 1st NBC Media Appearance