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Rodgers announces final season as McCarthy’s Steelers debut padded practice

8/4/2026

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Summary

McCarthy Padded Practice

Mike McCarthy held the Steelers’ first padded practice on August 3, 2026 and prohibited live tackling.
He introduced “Tempered” shirts bearing the slogan “More than talented. More than tough. Tempered.”
Analyst Conor Orr warned the softened camp could create a “horrific counternarrative” if the Steelers lose early games.
The Steelers signed safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal and drafted Robert Spears-Jennings in the seventh round.

Summary

Rodgers Announces Finale

Aaron Rodgers announced on The Pat McAfee Show the 2026 season will be his final NFL year.
He said he enjoys reuniting with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, now the same age as in 2006.
Rodgers noted his 2026 stats of 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 3,322 passing yards.
He praised wide receiver DK Metcalf as the team’s top target.

History

Historical Context

After the NFL’s 2011 Practice Safety Rule—adopted amid concussion lawsuits and a 70 % contact-reduction goal that cut preseason live-tackling from 1,200 to 360 minutes—league officials have used limited-contact drills as a health benchmark. In August 2026, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy held a padded practice, and commissioner Roger Goodell cited the 2011 rule while veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced his final season.

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McCarthy Padded Practice

Mike McCarthy held the Steelers’ first padded practice on August 3, 2026 and prohibited live tackling.
He introduced “Tempered” shirts bearing the slogan “More than talented. More than tough. Tempered.”
Analyst Conor Orr warned the softened camp could create a “horrific counternarrative” if the Steelers lose early games.
The Steelers signed safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal and drafted Robert Spears-Jennings in the seventh round.

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