There are few teams held in as high regard as organizations in the NFL than the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Indeed, both franchises have a long history of winning, and both will forever be tied together due to their matchup in Super Bowl XLV, which the Packers won 31-25.
Of course, they will also now forever share the Aaron Rodgers connection, as the Green Bay legend spent the 2025 NFL season in Pittsburgh in what could very well be the final year of his future Pro Football Hall of Fame career.
And recently, the Steelers have also been connected to Green Bay as they have requested to interview defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for their vacant head coaching position, a job Mike Tomlin stepped down from after an incredible 19-year run.
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wept when Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers coach
Like the Packers, the Steelers lost their Wild Card game in the NFL Playoffs. Unlike Green Bay, though, Pittsburgh never really had control of the game at any point, falling to the Houston Texans 30-6.
Many around the NFL and fans of multiple teams suspected that the Steelers would fire Tomlin if he failed to win a playoff game this year. However, instead of being fired, Tomlin informed the team’s executives, and then his players, that he was stepping down as head coach.
A recent article in The Athletic describes the reactions of the players as being crushed, many in disbelief that their long-time head coach would not be returning.
Rodgers, the former Packers quarterback, was especially heartbroken:
“Inside the team meeting room on Tuesday, Rodgers, through sobs, mustered a two-word message to deliver to his coach: ‘I’m sorry,’ several players heard him say. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’”’
With Tomlin out as head coach of the Steelers, it is far from likely that Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh. Of course, at 42 years old, he may choose to retire rather than come back for another NFL season.
But if he does want to play one more year, it will have to be with another team.
More Green Bay Packers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Packers’ rookie class, so far, has been a disappointment
- Ex-Packers WR Greg Jennings pays Aaron Rodgers the ultimate respect
- Experts weigh in on Matt LaFleur’s future with the Packers after collapse vs Bears
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
