Mike McCarthy has already spoken with Aaron Rodgers multiple times as the quarterback remains undecided about his future in the NFL.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, the new Steelers head coach said he and Rodgers, 42, have talked a “number of times” since McCarthy was hired by Pittsburgh on Saturday.
“I have spoken to Aaron Rodgers a number of times,” McCarthy said. “Like anybody that has played the game for a long time, it’s important to get away, so that’s a normal process. I think it’s important for all these players to decompress and step away after the season, and that’s really the mindset he’s in.
“That’s really about as far as our conversations have gone as if he’s coming back or not coming back.”
Since being named the next head coach of the Steelers, McCarthy has said he would like Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh next season.
“Definitely, I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy said in response to a question asking if he would want the 42-year-old as his quarterback next year.
The two have plenty of experience together, with McCarthy serving as Rodgers’ head coach in Green Bay for 11 seasons.
“The game is so emotional with what these men commit to and what they put into it. I think that time away is important. I have spoken to Aaron, so that’s really where we are. I was able to sit back and watch most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team,” he added.
In his 21st NFL season, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards — while completing 65.7 percent of his passes — with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 games.
Following Pittsburgh’s elimination from the postseason following a 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round, Rodgers declined to say what the future held for him.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers told reporters. “At this point, obviously 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 part of this team.
“So, it’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
