Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Shares Heartfelt Message for Ex-HC Mike Tomlin
Aaron Rodgers recently thanked former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for reigniting his love for playing football.
Quadrant 1a9afa3e-0e0: Following a disappointing two-year tenure with the New York Jets, quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have been tempted to hang up his cleats and retire. However, Rodgers chose to return to the field for head coach Mike Tomlin last season, a decision that reveals the quarterback's deep respect and admiration for the former Steelers HC.
Tomlin's tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers spanned 19 seasons and included an impressive 193-14-2 record, 13 playoff appearances, eight division titles, three AFC Championship Game appearances, two Super Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl championship. The Steelers have never had a losing season under Tomlin's guidance.
Despite the success under Tomlin, Rodgers openly expressed his gratitude for the time he spent with the coach in 2025. "I’m thankful for last year with coach Tomlin because he helped me get that love back, that deep love back for the game," Rodgers told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Tearing my Achilles, and going through a year of rehab, and just never feeling like myself — it just kind of beats you up a little bit. I didn’t want that to be my ending in the game I love so much."
The setback of his Achilles injury and the subsequent rehab had taken a toll on Rodgers. He feared that his love for the game might be forever diminished. However, being around the Steelers' players and coaching staff helped him rediscover that love and contentment, leading to his decision to retire. Nevertheless, Rodgers was intrigued by the prospect of a "full-circle" moment with coach Mike McCarthy, who had spent 13 seasons with Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers.
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