Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann reveals key factor in Aaron Rodgers decision to return to Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers brought backmost Aaron Rodgers for 1 last season, but Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann cited Mike McCarthy arsenic the main crushed for Rodgers’ return.

Thiesmann, 76, said helium didn’t deliberation Rodgers would person to returned if helium had to larn an wholly caller strategy and playbook.

"I deliberation Aaron coming backmost was a was a no-brainer for maine due to the fact that Mike McCarthy's there," Theismann told Fox News Digital successful a caller interview.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands during the nationalist anthem earlier an NFL crippled against the Baltimore Ravens astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pa., connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

"If determination was a antithetic coordinator, I don't deliberation Aaron would person travel back. If Mike's there, I fundamentally (thought) it was 90-10 (he would return)."

McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 seasons unneurotic with the Green Bay Packers, and Theismann said their familiarity successful Green Bay volition marque it a creaseless transition.

"They're inactive reunited erstwhile it comes to the system. Aaron doesn't person to walk a batch of clip successful OTA’s knowing the terminology, figuring retired the reads. He could manager anybody erstwhile it comes to the strategy that I’m definite they're going to run. So, there's a comfortableness level for him erstwhile helium goes there. As acold arsenic not learning a caller playbook," Theismann said.

While Rodgers was effectual past season, arsenic the four-time NFL MVP proved helium inactive had immoderate foodstuff near successful the tank. In 16 games, helium completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN WEIGHS IMPACT OF JAXSON DART-ABDUL CARTER TRUMP CONTROVERSY ON LOCKER ROOM

Pittsburgh Steelers backmost Aaron Rodgers listens to caput manager Mike McCarthy during NFL signifier successful Pittsburgh connected May 20, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Rodgers tin surely inactive propulsion the shot well, but astatine 42 years aged his mobility isn’t what it erstwhile was. Theismann talked astir however imperative it is for the violative enactment to play well.

"He's going to get the shot retired of his hands quickly," Theismann said. "But they're going to person to enactment up the violative enactment and support him. If they privation Aaron Rodgers to beryllium the Aaron Rodgers that they anticipation helium tin be, they're going to person to springiness him a accidental to beryllium capable to clasp the shot and propulsion it downfield."

Even though the Steelers volition person a caller caput manager for the archetypal clip successful astir 2 decades, Theismann inactive expects their marque of shot to remain.

"Pittsburgh is inactive going to beryllium Pittsburgh. I don't deliberation their mentality is going to alteration 1 bit. They are the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're 1 pugnacious shot squad that plays successful a precise pugnacious part and it's each astir toughness successful that part and Aaron has surely shown however pugnacious helium tin be," Theismann said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Former NFL subordinate Joe Theismann talks with sportscaster Chris Collinsworth earlier the crippled betwixt the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders astatine Northwest Stadium successful Landover, Md., connected Nov. 2, 2025. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Theismann played successful the NFL for 12 seasons, spending his full vocation with the Washington Redskins. He was named the league MVP successful 1983 and made the Pro Bowl twice.

He led the Redskins to the Super Bowl successful 1982, erstwhile they bushed the Miami Dolphins 27-17 successful Super Bowl XVII. In his career, Theismann completed 56.7% of his passes for 25,206 yards with 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.

Theismann volition beryllium competing successful the American Century Championship from July 10-12 astatine Edgewood Golf Course successful Lake Tahoe. The tourney volition beryllium broadcast connected NBC and Peacock.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.