Story perspectives

Steelers weigh Rodgers' return vs Packers Thursday

8/12/2026

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Summary

Rodgers Play Decision

Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is deciding whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play Thursday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, emphasizing health.
Rodgers said preseason is “not real football…if I do, great, if not, great,” and has not taken a snap since 2023, sitting out 2025 preseason.
McCarthy wants Rodgers to get number of snaps to test the offense while evaluating backups Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.

Summary

Rodgers Mentors Camp

Rodgers mentors both offense and defense at camp, offering technical advice.
He showed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. how the gun versus under-center formation changes a fade route.
Linebacker Patrick Queen said Rodgers’ hand signals can mean different calls in the same practice, confusing the defense.
Preseason starters missing include Max Iheanachor (shoulder/neck), DK Metcalf (status unknown), Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) and Brandin Echols (ankle, walking boot).

History

Historical Context

In the 2008 NFL preseason, Tom Brady suffered a torn ACL during the Patriots’ opening game, sidelining him for the entire season. Patriots owner Robert Kraft paid $12 million in salary guarantees while head coach Bill Belichick limited Brady’s snaps to protect the franchise. Similarly, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy now weighs Aaron Rodgers’ snap count, balancing veteran mentorship with backup evaluation amid multiple injuries. These cautious approaches underscore how preseason health decisions can reshape roster hierarchies and influence championship trajectories for teams like Pittsburgh.

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Rodgers Play Decision

Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is deciding whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play Thursday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, emphasizing health.
Rodgers said preseason is “not real football…if I do, great, if not, great,” and has not taken a snap since 2023, sitting out 2025 preseason.
McCarthy wants Rodgers to get number of snaps to test the offense while evaluating backups Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.

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