Steelers' Mike McCarthy gives big updates on Aaron Rodgers' future, Will Howard

On Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy suggested that he could need a plan B in the event that quarterback Aaron Rodgers retires instead of returning to the Steelers for another season. 

There's now more information regarding why McCarthy seemingly isn't losing sleep over his unsettled quarterback situation. 

How Mike McCarthy feels after speaking with Aaron Rodgers on Monday night

Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, McCarthy confirmed while speaking with reporters on Tuesday that he chatted with Rodgers on Monday night. It seems as if Rodgers didn't tease during that conversation that he is thinking about retirement. 

"I’m confident," McCarthy said about having Rodgers atop the depth chart later this year. "But at the end of the day, it’s a personal decision. I think we’re in a good space." 

Steelers owner/president Art Rooney II recently confirmed he expects to get a final answer from Rodgers about the 2026 season before the draft gets underway in Pittsburgh on  April 23. It sounds like McCarthy won't have to turn to longtime backup Mason Rudolph or unproven 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard this coming September. 

Mike McCarthy puts Will Howard "smoke screen" takes to bed? 

Whether or not McCarthy and others within the Steelers truly believe Howard could become a future franchise quarterback has made for some interesting conversations on local sports-talk programs throughout the offseason. According to Chris Ward of Steelers Now, McCarthy revealed on Tuesday that he would've selected Howard before the sixth round of the 2025 draft. 

"I think he’s definitely a real prospect as a starting quarterback," McCarthy said about Howard. "I believed that when he came out." 

McCarthy also hinted that Howard will continue learning from "the best guy that’s probably ever" passed footballs as an NFL quarterback in Rodgers. Howard took no in-game snaps as a rookie, but he may get a chance to compete with Rudolph for the QB2 job later this summer. 

Then again, either Rudolph or Howard will remain on track to start for Pittsburgh until Rodgers actually puts pen to paper on a contract with the organization.