SteelerFury Combined Forum

Decide on your future (well, next year) with the Steelers in a month, before free agency, so they can know what their QB room will look like going into next season.

Another step up from last year's clown show. Good to see it.

and when he says ... yes, I will return - this means we will take him back at the starting QB .... boooooooo

Link??

I'm not seeing this supposed ultimatum anywhere

I hope this is fake news. It makes no sense. Hell, even Willis or some other JAG would at least be interesting (and I want to see Howard, even if he has only a 5% chance of being an NFL backup).

From what McCarthy seemed to describe, I'm not sure what Rodgers does for his offensive vision. Willis or someone else might not be very good, but at least for the other 10 guys you can run your offense and they can learn.


Also, I'm really interested to see if Rodgers would play for McCarthy again. He flat-out choked away 1 or 2 NFCCs, and a divisional game.

If I'm Rodgers and I want to play next year, it's MIN or bust.

swissvale72 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:47 pm

Link??

I'm not seeing this supposed ultimatum anywhere

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/steel ... 19055.html
You can decide for yourself how legit this is.

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:53 pm

I hope this is fake news. It makes no sense. Hell, even Willis or some other JAG would at least be interesting (and I want to see Howard, even if he has only a 5% chance of being an NFL backup).

From what McCarthy seemed to describe, I'm not sure what Rodgers does for his offensive vision. Willis or someone else might not be very good, but at least for the other 10 guys you can run your offense and they can learn.


Also, I'm really interested to see if Rodgers would play for McCarthy again. He flat-out choked away 1 or 2 NFCCs, and a divisional game.

If I'm Rodgers and I want to play next year, it's MIN or bust.

I mean, he voluntarily went to a team led by Mike Tomlin. So.....

Louis Lipps Service wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 4:53 pm

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:53 pm

I hope this is fake news. It makes no sense. Hell, even Willis or some other JAG would at least be interesting (and I want to see Howard, even if he has only a 5% chance of being an NFL backup).

From what McCarthy seemed to describe, I'm not sure what Rodgers does for his offensive vision. Willis or someone else might not be very good, but at least for the other 10 guys you can run your offense and they can learn.


Also, I'm really interested to see if Rodgers would play for McCarthy again. He flat-out choked away 1 or 2 NFCCs, and a divisional game.

If I'm Rodgers and I want to play next year, it's MIN or bust.

I mean, he voluntarily went to a team led by Mike Tomlin. So.....

Everyone wanted to play for Mike Tomlin…until they actually played for Mike Tomlin.

Jobu wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:08 pm

Louis Lipps Service wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 4:53 pm

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:53 pm

I hope this is fake news. It makes no sense. Hell, even Willis or some other JAG would at least be interesting (and I want to see Howard, even if he has only a 5% chance of being an NFL backup).

From what McCarthy seemed to describe, I'm not sure what Rodgers does for his offensive vision. Willis or someone else might not be very good, but at least for the other 10 guys you can run your offense and they can learn.


Also, I'm really interested to see if Rodgers would play for McCarthy again. He flat-out choked away 1 or 2 NFCCs, and a divisional game.

If I'm Rodgers and I want to play next year, it's MIN or bust.

I mean, he voluntarily went to a team led by Mike Tomlin. So.....

Everyone wanted to play for Mike Tomlin…until they actually played for Mike Tomlin.

Correct. These guys are all competitors. Week 1 they realize that they are outschemed, out game planned, etc . . . basically it's a knife to a gun fight every week. Guys who have only played for Tomlin like Watt and Heyward are going to be amazed to find out what real game plans look like. And energized.

lifelongsteel wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:30 pm

Guys who have only played for Tomlin like Watt and Heyward are going to be amazed to find out what real game plans look like. And energized.

Or it's going to be a lot more work than they are used to putting in and they become major grumpuses.

This has to be coming from Coach Mike.

He knows this guy.

Sends a message to the coddled jogger. There might be some temper tantrums now that Coach T is gone.

Will the new Coach Mike have a cool saying, a signature, if you will.

"Can I have a side of fries with that?"
"Yes, extra cheese."
"I'll have the lot."

maybe in the end I will get over the Big Mike hire -- but not bringing back Rodgers ...
I dont really want anyone back that was a part of the previous regime and Rodgers was not quality down the stretch
SO Mccarthys saving grace is he was not a part of it

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:34 pm

lifelongsteel wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:30 pm

Guys who have only played for Tomlin like Watt and Heyward are going to be amazed to find out what real game plans look like. And energized.

Or it's going to be a lot more work than they are used to putting in and they become major grumpuses.

Exactly! Now you have the first delineation re: who fits the culture and who doesn't.

The Steelers used to draft for football character. At least it was a key characteristic they would look for. I think the guys who have been there awhile like Watt/Heyward are football character guys. Not sure about the guys from the last few drafts.

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:34 pm

lifelongsteel wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:30 pm

Guys who have only played for Tomlin like Watt and Heyward are going to be amazed to find out what real game plans look like. And energized.

Or it's going to be a lot more work than they are used to putting in and they become major grumpuses.

TWatt the jogger not going to know what to do with an actual game plan

Steeldrama wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:58 pm

TWatt the jogger not going to know what to do with an actual game plan

I'd give it about 75% that TJ requests a trade after seeing what they want him to do in the new defensive scheme.

Wow!

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:52 pm

maybe in the end I will get over the Big Mike hire -- but not bringing back Rodgers ...
I dont really want anyone back that was a part of the previous regime and Rodgers was not quality down the stretch
SO Mccarthys saving grace is he was not a part of it

What??? Granted..got his ass kicked against Houston, but so did Josh Allen. But...Not quality in both Baltimore game and at Detroit??

Rodgers was adequate as a QB last year. He probably would have been better without the offensive shackles he was forced to play in. However, he did show his age on multiple occasions and had some really poor games.

I don't want Rodgers back because if he returns, then Will Howard's development will be stunted. I don't know if Howard can be a good QB in this league, but Howard has to play as much as he can so we can get an idea of what he could be. If Rodgers comes back, that knocks Howard back to emergency QB unless he passes Rudolph on the depth chart. 3rd QB gets no quality snaps.

swissvale72 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 7:12 pm

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:52 pm

maybe in the end I will get over the Big Mike hire -- but not bringing back Rodgers ...
I dont really want anyone back that was a part of the previous regime and Rodgers was not quality down the stretch
SO Mccarthys saving grace is he was not a part of it

What??? Granted..got his ass kicked against Houston, but so did Josh Allen. But...Not quality in both Baltimore game and at Detroit??

Fake news

Just heard 2 reports with McCarthy interviews with burgh buys Bob P and Rolly Kaboly, no such thing was said about any ultimatum

seeing they are quoting Hathorn, they haven't said any of that on the Fan this afternoon at all just above

Simply that they want to understand where he is, and is going to be.

Nuance is likely something like "We'd like you back, but at (date) if you haven't signed we will be signing a vet who we think can start to pair with Howard.

Rodgers primary options likely:
- Sign with Steelers, or
- Don't sign anywhere. Stay in shape. Await the Purdy/Stafford/Darnold injury.

swissvale72 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 7:12 pm

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:52 pm

maybe in the end I will get over the Big Mike hire -- but not bringing back Rodgers ...
I dont really want anyone back that was a part of the previous regime and Rodgers was not quality down the stretch
SO Mccarthys saving grace is he was not a part of it

What??? Granted..got his ass kicked against Houston, but so did Josh Allen. But...Not quality in both Baltimore game and at Detroit??

he was poor against cleveland - and was poor against anyone with good 4-man rush.
baltimore pass D was hot garbage

if you are really happy with a 43yr old mediocre QB who won't or can't get hit and is what he is and won't get better ... have at it

rodgers just can't be in a hard fought rough game anymore IMO. texans are a great D and you just have to keep getting back up - boone is going to have their best day against them.

rodgers is mediocre now and can't take hits well. they aren't winning anything of significance with him at QB - don't care who the Hc and OC are. you have to take a chance somewhere else - if you want a vet back up to try and save 9-8 ... fine

turn it around - why would you want Rodgers back

Graham scrubbing tape of the Jogger.

The dude does not want to be hit, I'm sure it really hurts at his age, please Aaron save the Steelers from themselves and just retire for all our sakes, it's time for the Steelers to move on.

Rodgers absorbed several hits where he didn’t look like he was going to get up…like an old man that slipped in the bath tub. The guy is toast. Can we please move on?

I actually liked Rodgers more than I thought, but no on next year. I don’t want to go another year with a quarterback who can’t run.

daikyu wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 9:07 pm

Rodgers was adequate as a QB last year. He probably would have been better without the offensive shackles he was forced to play in. However, he did show his age on multiple occasions and had some really poor games.

I don't want Rodgers back because if he returns, then Will Howard's development will be stunted. I don't know if Howard can be a good QB in this league, but Howard has to play as much as he can so we can get an idea of what he could be. If Rodgers comes back, that knocks Howard back to emergency QB unless he passes Rudolph on the depth chart. 3rd QB gets no quality snaps.

swissvale72 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 7:12 pm

Gonzo wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:52 pm

maybe in the end I will get over the Big Mike hire -- but not bringing back Rodgers ...
I dont really want anyone back that was a part of the previous regime and Rodgers was not quality down the stretch
SO Mccarthys saving grace is he was not a part of it

What??? Granted..got his ass kicked against Houston, but so did Josh Allen. But...Not quality in both Baltimore game and at Detroit??

I actually think Rodgers coming back is the best chance to see Howard. Anyone quality you'd sign is going to be the starter. Rodgers already embraced the mentor role and he probably won't be making it through an entire season without missing time. I personally don't think anyone should plan on a 6th rounder turning into anything special, but if you do, the only way you find out is if the actual starter ends up missing time. If you give Willis 15-20, he is the starter.

If you give Willis 15-20, he is the starter.

Until he isn’t!

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 6:04 pm

Steeldrama wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:58 pm

TWatt the jogger not going to know what to do with an actual game plan

I'd give it about 75% that TJ requests a trade after seeing what they want him to do in the new defensive scheme.

If by chance he requests a trade, I tell him he needs to rework his contract to make it more attractive to other teams as right now, no one will take that atrocious thing!

Jobu wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 5:08 pm

Louis Lipps Service wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 4:53 pm

.Kodiak wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:53 pm

I hope this is fake news. It makes no sense. Hell, even Willis or some other JAG would at least be interesting (and I want to see Howard, even if he has only a 5% chance of being an NFL backup).

From what McCarthy seemed to describe, I'm not sure what Rodgers does for his offensive vision. Willis or someone else might not be very good, but at least for the other 10 guys you can run your offense and they can learn.


Also, I'm really interested to see if Rodgers would play for McCarthy again. He flat-out choked away 1 or 2 NFCCs, and a divisional game.

If I'm Rodgers and I want to play next year, it's MIN or bust.

I mean, he voluntarily went to a team led by Mike Tomlin. So.....

Everyone wanted to play for Mike Tomlin…until they actually played for Mike Tomlin.

Rodgers was still saying he wanted to play for Mike Tomlin after Tomlin left. Passionately defended him.

I'm on board for one more season with AR.

I want to truly see what a different coaching staff could do with this same team. It would be a waste not to at least see what McCarthy could do with it. New blood, new attitude, maybe some optimism.

Rodgers can still win it all with the right pieces around him. I have no doubt after seeing him take this dog shit offense and getting into the playoffs. He's inhuman, and if he's healthy, let's go.

We need a few pieces around him for that to happen - #2 WR, Replace Muth with a more athletic TE. Grab an IL and S from the Draft, The O-line was passable. The running game is going to get better. I think Watt will have a re-awakening of sorts if he thinks a SB run is in the cards.

The personnel on this team isn't a total disaster, luckily its a few identifiable pieces and a shot of optimism away from a looking like a different team.

There were so many missed opportunities last season simply because Rodgers didn't have a consistent second passing option..

Washington is a major weapon in spurts, but he needs to be platooned with another pass grabbing TE.

This may be the last time in years the Steelers sniff the playoffs, lets go out with a bang.

And besides - who are we going to grab at QB in the draft this year that would even make it worth while.