When it comes to Aaron Rodgers, waiting to hear from the QB on an important decision is a familiar story. As uncertainty around his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers builds, the arrival of Mike McCarthy has changed the tone. The duo has a history together as Rodgers worked with the HC during his MVP seasons and Super Bowl run with the Green Bay Packers. So that reunion naturally prompts optimism among the fans. And now, as free agency is near, McCarthy is being urged to keep a familiar face for Rodgers.

“Absolutely, you bring [Isaac] Seumalo back,” former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex said on veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo’s future. “He was nicked up quite a few times last year, but there was a distinct difference in how this O-line played, especially in the pass protection, especially with what he did with the rotating door that was left tackle last year, playing next to four different left tackles, keeping that stable.”

Seumalo is heading into free agency after spending three seasons as a starter with the Black and Gold. He started 44 games and anchored the interior during a period of transition.

“I think you absolutely keep him and bring in some more young guys, maybe mid-round draft pick or a free agent. But I think you bring this exact [starting] five back, how it ended last year, and see what they can do in 2026,” Essex said on 93.7 The Fan.

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That plan would give McCarthy continuity instead of another reset. Of course, Seumalo is 32 and played through a pectoral injury last season. Still, he delivered arguably his best year in Pittsburgh. Over 770 snaps, he earned a 74.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, his top mark with the Steelers. He also surrendered only 15 pressures, a career low across a full campaign.

However, he missed three games and struggled in the playoff loss to the Houston Texans, allowing five pressures and a sack. Still, that one outing should not erase three steady seasons. He led a young line that continued to grow inside Acrisure Stadium and helped them find consistency.

Seumalo still has productive football ahead of him. Therefore, bringing him back makes sense if Rodgers truly returns to lead the Black and Gold. Running it back with the same starting five would ease the transition under new position coaches and give McCarthy exactly what he needs.

Aaron Rodgers will likely return to the Steelers

After Mike Tomlin stepped down following the team’s wild-card loss and another failed attempt at a deep playoff push, Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly felt wide open. However, the mood shifted once Mike McCarthy took over as head coach. Because of that reunion, talk across Steelers Nation has picked up again. In fact, league insiders such as Brooke Pryor now believe a return to the Steel City is more probable than not, even if nothing is official yet.

“With Mike McCarthy becoming the head coach… I get the sense that he is more likely to come back than not,” Pryor said. “But I would write that in pencil. I would not write that in pen. At the very least, erasable pen because you’re not going to believe it until you hear it from Aaron Rodgers. Obviously, this decision is his and his alone. But the Steelers, I would guess, would like a decision sooner rather than later going into the combine.”

If Rodgers returns in 2026, the Black and Gold will avoid a major problem under center. Right now, the quarterback room features Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. And although prominent voices like Ben Roethlisberger have vouched for a younger quarterback instead of A-Rod, neither Howard nor Rudolph has locked down the job.

In 2025, Rodgers posted a 94.8 passer rating with 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 games last season. Those numbers still carry weight at Acrisure Stadium, and without him, Pittsburgh likely faces a season of trial and error. They would either lean on unproven options or explore a trade for a veteran. Even if Rodgers comes back, questions remain about how far this roster can truly go.

Still, Rodgers provides stability, but stability alone does not win the AFC. To compete, the Black and Gold must strengthen both sides of the ball and give Steelers Nation a real reason to believe.