In 2025, Aaron Rodgers provided about as much as can be expected from a 41-year-old quarterback. He wasn’t perfect and far from his past MVP form, but he was a noticeable upgrade from recent years and good enough to allow the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the AFC North make the playoffs. Now that he’s back again for a second year in Pittsburgh, and his final season in the NFL, the Steelers need the now 42-year-old future Hall of Famer to play at the same level again.
And while there’s no guarantee how an aging quarterback performs – Father Time is undefeated, of course, the Steelers attempted to place him in a better position to succeed in 2026 compared to what he had to work with last year.
Mina Kimes Says the Steelers Built the Perfect WR Room for 2026 Aaron Rodgers
In addition to a revamped offensive line and another year of Zach Frazier developing into one of the best centers in football, Rodgers has what should be an improved wide receiver room. ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes even believes this particular group of receivers better fits Rodgers, most notably at this point in his career.
“The Steelers did a fantastic job, in terms of this wide receiver group, of building around this version of Aaron Rodgers,” Kimes said on a recent episode of The Mina Kimes Show. “If we’re thinking about this offense through the lens of this version of Aaron Rodgers, ball’s coming out quick. Can you get yards after the catch? Can you be reliable? I feel like they kind of hit it out of the park, in terms of building the right group of players.”
And to unpack what she’s saying, the Steelers acquired Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The addition of Pittman instantly makes life easier for Rodgers on its own. He will demand coverage and create more space for incumbent top threat DK Metcalf.
Michael Pittman Jr. Will Open Up Space for DK Metcalf
Without a true No. 2 in 2025, Metcalf endured his worst season since his rookie year, at least production wise. But beyond adding Pittman, and indirectly, or directly, helping Metcalf, Pittsburgh traded up in April’s NFL Draft to select Alabama threat Germie Bernard, who recorded four catches for 52 yards his preseason debut.
A Rookie May Make an Impact
Kimes loves the Bernard pick and expects big things from him, too.
“I think he might be the perfect draft pick, again, for this quarterback, what they need in this offense,” she said. “I thought he looked excellent in the preseason game. He looked snappy. I thought he looked a little more sudden than maybe I’d give him credit for. The yards after catch was just like a little flare.”
Roman Wilson May Emerge….
By all accounts, Roman Wilson also strengthened his chemistry with Rodgers throughout training camp.
Kimes is only one opinion, granted she’s far from the only one with a platform sharing this same outlook about the 2026 version of the Steelers’ offense. However, what’s around Rodgers won’t necessarily matter if he can’t stay healthy and Pittsburgh doesn’t find consistent success on the ground as well.
Everything can’t be on Rodgers’ shoulders again, but at least before kicking off season, it appears he will have more help as he looks to cap off his career on a high note.
Steelers 2026 WRs Get Candid Take in Aaron Rodgers’ Age-42 Season