Pittsburgh Steelers News

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Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return

When asked if he'd like veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return in 2026, new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said, "Definitely, I don't see why you wouldn't." McCarthy said he has spoken to Rodgers since being hired and thought that he was a great asset for the team in 2025. Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and it's unclear if he plans on returning for a 22nd season in the NFL. The expectation is that he'd leave Pittsburgh following the departure of long-time head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers clearly have interest in a reunion with Rodgers, but it remains to be seen if that's mutual, or if he has interest in playing for McCarthy again after the two reportedly had a falling out during their time together with the Green Bay Packers. If Rodgers returns to the Steelers, he'd once again be a low-end QB2 for fantasy with a team that needs more WR depth behind DK Metcalf.

Yesterday

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Will Aaron Rodgers Return to Pittsburgh if Mike McCarthy is Head Coach?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and the expectation is that he will not return to the Steel City after long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons with the organization. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that if Rodgers does decide to come back to play for a new Steelers head coach, it would be former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is a native of Pittsburgh. The Steelers are open to the future Hall of Fame QB returning for another year in 2026, but they wouldn't be hiring McCarthy specifically to lure Rodgers back after he led the team to the postseason in 2025. Pittsburgh's ownership isn't interested in rebuilding, so hiring a veteran coach like McCarthy to lead a veteran roster would make a lot of sense. Retirement is very much on the table for Rodgers this offseason, but if the Steelers hire McCarthy as their next head coach, it could push the 42-year-old to return for one last rodeo.

5 days ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are open to quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning to the team in 2026. "The Steelers players are more than open to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh; they want the four-time league MVP back and conveyed as much to various members of the Steelers organization during their exit meetings last week," per Schefter. Although it was reported on Saturday that a reunion was unlikely because Mike Tomlin was leaving the Steelers after 19 seasons as Pittsburgh's head coach. However, despite Tomlin's resignation, Pittsburgh hasn't shut the door on Rodgers returning. The veteran quarterback will be a free agent in March and will decide to either retire or return for another year in 2026. In his first year with the Steelers, Rodgers led them to the playoffs and threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while rushing for 61 yards and one score through 16 games. Rodgers likely won't make a decision anytime soon. If he does decide to hang up his cleats, Rodgers will finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes across 21 NFL seasons. Stay tuned.

Jan 18

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Not Expected to Return to Steelers in 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will be a free agent in March, is not expected to return to the team next season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. After the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans on Monday night in the Wild-Card round, long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years with the organization. It essentially ensures that Rodgers won't return to the Steel City if he decides to play one more season, but the future Hall of Famer may have thrown his last pass in the NFL. The 42-year-old completed 65.7% of his pass attempts in Pittsburgh in 2025 for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding 61 rushing yards and one TD on the ground. If Rodgers' career comes to an end, he'll finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes in 264 regular-season games across 21 NFL seasons.

Jan 17

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Unlikely to Return to Steelers?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that he enjoyed his experience with the Steelers in 2025, but owner Art Rooney hinted that he's unlikely to re-sign with the team this offseason if he decides to continue his playing career, according to Amanda Godsey of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. Rooney said that Rodgers "came here to play for Mike." Long-time Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced his resignation on Tuesday, and he's not expected to coach anywhere in 2026. The 42-year-old future Hall of Fame QB could be leaning towards retirement despite finishing this year with a rough performance in the Wild-Card loss to the Houston Texans on Monday, when he went 17-for-33 passing for 146 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a lost fumble. If this is it for Rodgers, the four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion will finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes in the regular season in 21 NFL seasons.

Jan 14

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell has 10 Touches in Playoff Loss

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had 10 touches for 46 scrimmage yards in Monday night's 30-6 loss in the Wild-Card round to the visiting Houston Texans. He also added 100 yards on four kickoff returns. The 26-year-old carried the ball six times for 20 yards and caught four of his six targets for 26 yards. Gainwell's performance didn't stand out on offense, but it was a career year for him in 2025 in his first season in Pittsburgh, as he finished with a career-high 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns on a career-high 114 carries in 17 regular-season games. He added a career-best 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers will most likely be interested in re-signing Gainwell, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Gainwell's 2026 fantasy value could change drastically if he's not in Pittsburgh.

Jan 13

Pat Freiermuth • TE • Steelers

Pat Freiermuth a Touchdown-Dependent TE Streamer Against Texans

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had very limited fantasy football upside in 2025 while sharing TE duties with both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm). He finished as the TE24 in half-PPR scoring in 16 regular-season games, with 41 catches on 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Freiermuth and Smith should have slightly bigger roles going into the playoffs on Wild-Card weekend on Monday night against the Houston Texans with Washington out, but the 27-year-old still isn't an ideal option for fantasy managers in a bad matchup. Freiermuth did finish the regular season strong with six catches on 10 targets for 114 yards in the final two games, but he hasn't scored since Nov. 23. The Texans have the No. 1 defense in the league, and they've allowed only 775 receiving yards (seventh-fewest) and eight TDs all year to the tight end position.

Jan 12

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Won't Have as Many Opportunities With Teammate Back

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III stepped up with DK Metcalf on suspension in the team's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, which helped them win the AFC North division. Austin caught three of his seven targets for 55 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the 26-year-old's third touchdown of the year and his first since back on Sept. 21 in the win over the New England Patriots. The week prior, with Metcalf out due to suspension, Austin caught his only target for an eight-yard gain. His touchdown catch in Week 18 against the Ravens came with help from cornerback Chidobe Awuzie slipping to leave him wide open. Austin had just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games, so he wasn't really on the radar in 12-team fantasy leagues. With Metcalf returning from his suspension in the Wild-Card game on Monday night against the Houston Texans, we aren't expecting much from Austin against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

Jan 12

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Could Struggle in Playoff Return

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that has given quarterbacks fits all year long. Houston has held opposing quarterbacks 4.1 fantasy points below their season-long average, topped only by the Minnesota Vikings. The 42-year-old Rodgers started the season strongly but has thrown multiple touchdowns in a game only once since Week 9. While it's unlikely he will see anything on Monday night that he isn't mentally prepared for, his physical shortcomings and lack of a supporting cast could leave the Steelers up against it early. In a Wild Card Weekend with 12 teams in action, Rodgers is RotoBaller's QB12 for fantasy playoff leagues.

Jan 12

DK Metcalf • WR • Steelers

DK Metcalf Faces Tough Draw in Return From Suspension

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf returns from his two-game suspension, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that finished the regular season as the fourth most difficult matchup for fantasy wide receivers. On average, the Texans held opposing wide receiver rooms 4.4 points below their season-long average in half-PPR formats. With Metcalf the only true outside threat on the Steelers' roster, he is likely to see a fair share of coverage from recently named First Team All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. In a Wild Card matchup that sees them as three-point underdogs at home, Metcalf is RotoBaller's WR18 in fantasy playoff leagues and should be plugged into lineups on an emergency basis only.

Jan 12

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Faces Difficult Matchup in Playoff Opener

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren finished the regular season with 1,291 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, but in Monday night's Wild Card finale, he faces a Texans defense that has been among the most punishing all season long. Houston has been the 8th most formidable fantasy defense in terms of limiting opposing running backs, holding lead backs 2.4 points below their season average. With Warren already working as part of a committee with Kenneth Gainwell, neither player boasts a particularly high ceiling, though both are buoyed by their steady work in the passing game. Warren is RotoBaller's RB9 for Wild Card Weekend and will likely need to see a strong target share to make good on that projection.

Jan 12

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell Remains a Viable PPR Running Back Option in Wild-Card Round

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell emerged as a surprisingly critical piece of his team's offense over the course of the 2025 season, recording 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 187 touches. Gainwell and the Steelers will face one of the NFL's best defenses in the Wild Card round in the Houston Texans. Houston dominated opposing rushing attacks in the regular season, allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards (1,593) in the NFL. However, Gainwell does most of his work in the Steelers' passing game. The 26-year-old recorded 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns this season and earned at least seven targets in four out of Pittsburgh's final five games. Houston has been slightly more susceptible to running back production in the pass game this season, allowing an average of four receptions and 31 receiving yards per game to the position. Given his relatively safe receiving floor, Gainwell profiles as a solid fantasy RB2 option in PPR-scoring leagues in the Wild Card.

Jan 12

Jonnu Smith • TE • Steelers

Jonnu Smith Cleared to Play in Wild-Card Contest

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (glute) was a full participant in practice on Saturday and was cleared from the final injury report, according to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio. Smith will be active for the Wild-Card matchup against the visiting Houston Texans on Monday night. Even though Darnell Washington (forearm) is done for the year due to injury, Smith is a hard sell for starting fantasy football lineups in playoff formats, especially with receiver DK Metcalf returning from a two-game suspension. The 30-year-old Smith had only one catch on two targets for two yards in the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, and he caught only 38 passes during the regular season for 222 yards and two touchdowns. If you are going to use a TE from Pittsburgh this weekend, it should be Pat Freiermuth.

Jan 11

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' future is uncertain, but the team views the 2025 season as a success and would welcome his return in 2026, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 10-7 record for the third year in a row, largely thanks to Rodgers' steady quarterback play. At 42 years old, Rodgers could retire, and his future might depend on how far the Steelers advance in the playoffs this month, as well as whether head coach Mike Tomlin returns for the 2026 campaign. However, if he does commit to another season, it sounds like the Steelers would like to bring him back. Rodgers is an impending free agent, so Pittsburgh might have to bid against other NFL teams for his services. He has shown that he's capable of continuing to start in the NFL, as he completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions this year. Pittsburgh faces the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Monday night.

Jan 11

Jonnu Smith • TE • Steelers

Jonnu Smith Added to Injury Report With Glute Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (glute) was added to the injury report on Friday and was listed as a limited participant in practice, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. It's unclear if Smith injured his glute in practice on Friday, but either way, his status for Monday night's Wild-Card game against the visiting Houston Texans is now up in the air. We should have a better idea of his availability after Pittsburgh's final practice of the week on Saturday. With Darnell Washington (forearm) out of the picture the rest of the way, Pat Freiermuth would be the team's clear pass-catching tight end on Monday if Smith is unable to play. In offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's multi-TE system, Smith struggled to produce in 2025 after a career year with the Dolphins in 2024. He had just 38 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers during the regular season, and Smith should be ignored in fantasy lineups if he's active, especially with receiver DK Metcalf returning from a two-game suspension.

Jan 9

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Back at Practice on Friday

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (illness) returned to a full practice on Friday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren was under the weather and did not practice on Thursday. Now that he's back, he should be ready to rock by Monday night when the Steelers take on the Houston Texans in a Wild-Card playoff matchup. The 27-year-old back finished as the RB17 in half-PPR scoring during the regular season with 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries. He added 40 receptions on 45 targets for 333 receiving yards and two more TDs. Warren will be splitting the backfield workload with Kenneth Gainwell, who has become a bigger part of the offense in the second half of the season. Warren should be considered a low-end RB1 during Wild-Card weekend while going up against a Texans defense that allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to RBs this year.

Jan 9

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Out Sick on Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (illness) did not practice with the team on Thursday due to an illness, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren's status is worth monitoring going into Monday night's Wild-Card playoff matchup against the visiting Houston Texans, but the 27-year-old should be good to go by then. However, if he's still feeling under the weather by then and sees a smaller workload, it would benefit backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell, albeit in a very tough matchup against the No. 1 defense in the league. Warren has seen double-digit carries in all but one of his 16 games played this year, but Gainwell has taken on a bigger role in Pittsburgh's backfield late in the season. He ranked as the RB19 with 12.3 half-PPR points per game, while Houston's defense allowed the eighth-fewest half-PPR points per week to the position. Warren sets up as a low-end RB1 in fantasy playoff formats.

Jan 8

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Facing Difficult Wild-Card Matchup

Across 16 games played in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Rodgers delivered a bit of a vintage performance in Week 18 to help power Pittsburgh into the playoffs, completing 31 of 47 pass attempts for 294 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Entering Wild Card Weekend, Rodgers will get some much-needed pass-catching help in the form of wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who missed the final two games of the regular season due to a suspension. However, Rodgers will face one of the league's best defenses in the Houston Texans in the first round of the AFC playoffs. In the regular season, Houston ranked seventh among NFL defenses in both passing yards (3,486) and passing touchdowns (20) allowed. Rodgers has played some of his best football of the season in recent weeks, but fantasy managers in playoff leagues may want to be cautious given his matchup against Houston.

Jan 7

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Facing Stiff Test in Wild-Card Round

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III has compiled 31 receptions (55 targets) for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games this season. The 26-year-old came up huge in the regular-season finale win over the Baltimore Ravens, catching a 26-yard touchdown to give the Steelers the lead with less than a minute remaining. With D.K. Metcalf (suspension) set to return for the playoffs after missing the last two games, Austin offers minimal upside in a brutal matchup against the Houston Texans on Monday night. He's scored double-digit PPR points in only four of 14 games, and the Texans have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game (183.5) and the seventh-fewest receiving touchdowns (20) this season. Austin is tough to trust for fantasy managers in playoff leagues, given the return of Metcalf and the challenging matchup.

Jan 6

Pat Freiermuth • TE • Steelers

Pat Freiermuth is Risky for Wild-Card Round

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has seen an expanded role in the offense lately. The loss of Darnell Washington (forearm) has moved Freiermuth up the depth chart. Over the last four games, Freiermuth has hauled in 13 receptions for 179 yards, but he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 12. The 27-year-old will head into a playoff matchup against a tough Houston Texans defense this week. The Texans' defense has been generally strong versus opposing tight ends, which isn't good news for Freiermuth. The increased target share will certainly help, but Freiermuth should be viewed as a lower-end option for this difficult Wild-Card matchup. The return of DK Metcalf from a two-game suspension is also bad news for Freirmuth.

Jan 6

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