When the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy as head coach, the assumption was that he and Aaron Rodgers had buried the hatchet. But a surprising roster move has some insiders questioning whether McCarthy is actually trying to push the four-time MVP out the door.
According to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, the Steelers’ decision to place a rare unrestricted free agency tender on Rodgers wasn’t just a strategic roster maneuver—it was a deliberate message. By offering Rodgers well below his market value, the team may be trying to irritate the star quarterback into confronting them.
“So here’s the question: Do they want him to perceive that?” Florio asked. “Is this their way to get off the Aaron Rodgers ride?”
Florio didn’t stop there. He went on to claim that McCarthy, the man who once led Rodgers to a Super Bowl victory, now wants to cut ties entirely.
“I continue to believe, truth be told, new coach Mike McCarthy would prefer to move on without his former Packers quarterback.”
That’s a bombshell for a franchise that just sent a league-wide message that Rodgers was staying put. If true, it signals deep friction between the two biggest names in Pittsburgh’s new era.
A Relationship That Soured in Green Bay
McCarthy and Rodgers were once the NFL’s most dominant duo. They won Super Bowl XLV together and captured five NFC North titles in six seasons. But by 2017, cracks began to show. Rumors of tension between the coach and quarterback swirled, and the Packers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The following year, after a 4-7-1 start, McCarthy was fired.
Rodgers rebounded under Matt LaFleur, winning MVP honors in 2020 and 2021, but eventually grew restless in Green Bay and left after the 2022 season. Now, the two are reunited in Pittsburgh—but not necessarily by choice.
Florio’s report suggests McCarthy may be looking for an exit ramp, even if it means forcing Rodgers out. The tender, which is rarely used, could be the first step in a messy breakup.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have other options. The Broncos are reportedly eyeing Rodgers as Bo Nix’s ankle recovery raises questions, so a trade isn’t out of the question.
For now, Pittsburgh fans are left wondering: Is this the start of a new chapter—or the final act of a fractured partnership?
