McCarthy wants Rodgers in Steelers preseason games

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy wants Aaron Rodgers to play in the team's first two preseason games against the Packers and Jets, with roughly 30 to 40 snaps targeted. Rodgers says he will if asked, though McCarthy has not locked in a final decision yet.

Key Takeaways

• McCarthy asked Rodgers to play in Pittsburgh's openers versus Green Bay and the New York Jets.
• Rodgers told The Athletic he would take about 30 to 40 plays if his coach wants him on the field.
• McCarthy said Monday the final call will wait until closer to those games.
• Rodgers last saw significant preseason action in 2018; his most recent snaps were two series in 2023 with the Jets.
• The reunion comes as Rodgers prepares for what he has framed as his final NFL season.

Why does Mike McCarthy want Rodgers in preseason?

McCarthy and Rodgers are reuniting in Pittsburgh after 14 seasons together in Green Bay. According to NFL.com, the coach wants his 42-year-old quarterback to get real game snaps before the regular season.

Rodgers relayed the ask plainly: McCarthy wants him out there for 30 or 40 plays. That would be a sharp break from how star quarterbacks usually handle August football.

For fans tracking camp and exhibition coverage, more Streaming & TV Alerts can help you know when Steelers games and interviews air.

Will Aaron Rodgers actually play against the Packers and Jets?

Rodgers is willing, if not eager. "I said, 'Mike, if you want me to play, I'll play.' I'm not saying I want to do it. But if he wants me to, I will," he told Mike Silver of The Athletic.

McCarthy softened the timeline on Monday. "Those decisions are really gonna be made once we get up to it," he said, adding that plans can change and health matters. He also noted both sides are open: "He'd like to play. I would like to see him play."

The opponents add drama. The first two preseason foes are Rodgers' former clubs, the Packers and Jets, setting up a full-circle exhibition stretch if he suits up.

How long has it been since Rodgers played in the preseason?

Significant preseason work for Rodgers dates to 2018, McCarthy's final season in Green Bay. He took no preseason snaps last year under Mike Tomlin and played only two series in the Jets' 2023 preseason finale.

NFL.com noted the ask is notable for a quadragenarian starter and could affect how snaps are split among backups Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. Nothing is final until McCarthy makes the call closer to kickoff.

Still, the signal is clear: the Pittsburgh Steelers want Rodgers sharp in live action, not just practice, as he and McCarthy open their reunion chapter.