Steelers president: Mike Tomlin stepping down likely affects Aaron Rodgers' plan
- - Steelers president: Mike Tomlin stepping down likely affects Aaron Rodgers' plan
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAYJanuary 14, 2026 at 12:53 PM
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Steelers president: Mike Tomlin stepping down likely affects Aaron Rodgers' plan
Mike Tomlin's decision to step down might be the first of several major offseason changes for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One day after Tomlin opted to end his 19-year run as the franchise's coach, Steelers president Art Rooney II indicated that he believes quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't be back with the team in 2026.
"Aaron came here to play for Mike," Rooney said in a news conference. "So I think it will most likely affect his decision."
Rodgers, 42, signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in June, citing Tomlin as a driving factor in his decision to link up with the team after a tumultuous two-year run with the New York Jets. The four-time NFL MVP said shortly after reaching his contract that he was "pretty sure" that 2025 would be his final season, but in late December he left open the possibility of playing on – whether in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.
2007: 10-6, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2007: 10-6, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XdoXHfKnAjgQZmNfso_f3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODcw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cc0a8839552e3a62aff7cb7f59c0d945 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2007: 10-6, reached playoffs
">2007: 10-6, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XdoXHfKnAjgQZmNfso_f3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODcw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cc0a8839552e3a62aff7cb7f59c0d945 class=caas-img>2008: 12-4, won Super Bowl 43
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2008: 12-4, won Super Bowl 43
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F63sX7vmndkZO7jfYVTDiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03Nzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97bf403d8bb3c5d0af790120977eb4fb class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2008: 12-4, won Super Bowl 43
">2008: 12-4, won Super Bowl 43
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F63sX7vmndkZO7jfYVTDiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03Nzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97bf403d8bb3c5d0af790120977eb4fb class=caas-img>2009: 9-7
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2009: 9-7
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BLbDuoF0kxkPJkOmiQR9vA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4af927650eb81a06dafad2e644c5b95a class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2009: 9-7
">2009: 9-7
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BLbDuoF0kxkPJkOmiQR9vA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4af927650eb81a06dafad2e644c5b95a class=caas-img>2010: 12-4, reached Super Bowl 45
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2010: 12-4, reached Super Bowl 45
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uTcVjNX800O4CWKFlEzjeA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/de7c00206278f378985a668a18bbeb55 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2010: 12-4, reached Super Bowl 45
">2010: 12-4, reached Super Bowl 45
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uTcVjNX800O4CWKFlEzjeA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/de7c00206278f378985a668a18bbeb55 class=caas-img>2011: 12-4, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2011: 12-4, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C6EPz7NjHBy88AS2y6iuIQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e873c5188cad80da471cd6f743d2ddd class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2011: 12-4, reached playoffs
">2011: 12-4, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C6EPz7NjHBy88AS2y6iuIQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e873c5188cad80da471cd6f743d2ddd class=caas-img>2012: 8-8
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2012: 8-8
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fbqSqSsnQ5Em9zD8el08Mg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f7dde172b497d01697604ed53cfb2463 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2012: 8-8
">2012: 8-8
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fbqSqSsnQ5Em9zD8el08Mg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f7dde172b497d01697604ed53cfb2463 class=caas-img>2013: 8-8
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2013: 8-8
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FeYf.oZf0kr7mpzKlLNmCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/de7e133f493042984f71a514da99b60f class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2013: 8-8
">2013: 8-8
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FeYf.oZf0kr7mpzKlLNmCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/de7e133f493042984f71a514da99b60f class=caas-img>2014: 11-5, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014: 11-5, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CMPKav_BP5JZHWQzmGvnuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b99d37100b8e5f278dc3bcce93ee2284 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2014: 11-5, reached playoffs
">2014: 11-5, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CMPKav_BP5JZHWQzmGvnuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b99d37100b8e5f278dc3bcce93ee2284 class=caas-img>2015: 10-6, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2015: 10-6, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4h.Yd8sm1ftMIxER3X2tJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b4deee2b8f96e6e78673a4df793195f6 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2015: 10-6, reached playoffs
">2015: 10-6, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4h.Yd8sm1ftMIxER3X2tJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b4deee2b8f96e6e78673a4df793195f6 class=caas-img>2016: 11-5, reached AFC Championship Game
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2016: 11-5, reached AFC Championship Game
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_vDwDd9ABSQuJ9RfOABp8Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MDA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e0a13c87b44b3b2be0a4ee280889c015 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2016: 11-5, reached AFC Championship Game
">2016: 11-5, reached AFC Championship Game
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_vDwDd9ABSQuJ9RfOABp8Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MDA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e0a13c87b44b3b2be0a4ee280889c015 class=caas-img>2017: 13-3, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2017: 13-3, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4KUzga17698cLIhOA2DEyw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4bc1fc1a5a9f67dc767491a201aea1d9 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2017: 13-3, reached playoffs
">2017: 13-3, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4KUzga17698cLIhOA2DEyw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4bc1fc1a5a9f67dc767491a201aea1d9 class=caas-img>2018: 9-6-1
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2018: 9-6-1
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G5VTu6pDWF_YOj4rbR3kHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/387ca8a1973cbcb269a13d4af70bfccc class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2018: 9-6-1
">2018: 9-6-1
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G5VTu6pDWF_YOj4rbR3kHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/387ca8a1973cbcb269a13d4af70bfccc class=caas-img>2019: 8-8
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2019: 8-8
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/16rT3u1XMqwSQZq7ZY4u3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ad38cce65d29a05804226ae542438fe6 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2019: 8-8
">2019: 8-8
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/16rT3u1XMqwSQZq7ZY4u3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ad38cce65d29a05804226ae542438fe6 class=caas-img>2020: 12-4, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2020: 12-4, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0aUvbjvyUSCRUO4jik3WVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/333fd4dcd806e1b952f72ee7cf921d17 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2020: 12-4, reached playoffs
">2020: 12-4, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0aUvbjvyUSCRUO4jik3WVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/333fd4dcd806e1b952f72ee7cf921d17 class=caas-img>2021: 9-7-1, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2021: 9-7-1, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZTHQho8Az5WB4Lv6qyUZog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b824e5c148162d7c684a4dde1201f639 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2021: 9-7-1, reached playoffs
">2021: 9-7-1, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZTHQho8Az5WB4Lv6qyUZog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b824e5c148162d7c684a4dde1201f639 class=caas-img>2022: 9-8
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2022: 9-8
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5P..W0TrJPtrYaXriadG1g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f50c7da16cf1d0bf7d74e8421a249b7c class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2022: 9-8
">2022: 9-8
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5P..W0TrJPtrYaXriadG1g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f50c7da16cf1d0bf7d74e8421a249b7c class=caas-img>2023: 10-7, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2023: 10-7, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IIt0IoPWRgQ5CBqXRG2IXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1c39014da272d76083b60bdbd9294170 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2023: 10-7, reached playoffs
">2023: 10-7, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IIt0IoPWRgQ5CBqXRG2IXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1c39014da272d76083b60bdbd9294170 class=caas-img>2024: 10-7, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2024: 10-7, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8g.K5yGKYjqE238XTtSZaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Nzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/890f6bc19ff724d4a1adf9bf75b25a16 class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2024: 10-7, reached playoffs
">2024: 10-7, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8g.K5yGKYjqE238XTtSZaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Nzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/890f6bc19ff724d4a1adf9bf75b25a16 class=caas-img>2025: 10-7, reached playoffs
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2025: 10-7, reached playoffs
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/X6oIhh0IhN0K.C2ALwoQhA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c64a7d5fd62d6e3991dbb6031cb24ada class=caas-img data-headline="Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons" data-caption="
2025: 10-7, reached playoffs
">2025: 10-7, reached playoffs
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/X6oIhh0IhN0K.C2ALwoQhA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c64a7d5fd62d6e3991dbb6031cb24ada class=caas-img>
1 / 19Mike Tomlin steps down: Look back at all 19 of his Steelers seasons
2007: 10-6, reached playoffs
"I'm thinking about this week, but obviously I'm 42 years old and I'm on a one-year deal," Rodgers said. "So you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. So that'll give me a lot of options if I still want to play. I mean, not a lot of options, but there'll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play."
After a season-ending wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Monday, Rodgers said he would take his time while weighing retirement against returning for a 22nd season.
"I’m not going to make any emotional decisions at this point," Rodgers said. "Such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being a part of this team. So it's disappointing to be sitting here with the season over."
The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard as the only quarterbacks under contract with the team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Tomlin's move likely affects Aaron Rodgers' decision, Rooney says
Source: “AOL Sports”
