Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy relationship timeline, from Packers Super Bowls run to Steelers reunion

Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy relationship timeline, from Packers Super Bowls run to Steelers reunion originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Realistic expectations may not be set that high for 2026, but the Pittsburgh Steelers now officially have a coach-quarterback duo that has won a Super Bowl together already.

With Aaron Rodgers now officially heading back to the Steelers for a second season as their starting quarterback, holding off retirement for another year, he's also re-uniting with a familiar face in Mike McCarthy. Rodgers and McCarthy experienced some of the peak years of their careers together — in Pittsburgh, they're looking to rekindle some of the magic they found with the Green Bay Packers . Here's a look at Rodgers' history with McCarthy.

MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers full 2026 schedule Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy relationship timeline Rodgers and McCarthy spent over a decade in Green Bay together, where they each found the majority of their career success. 2006: Mike McCarthy hired by Packers in Rodgers' second season In January 2006, with the Packers seeking a Mike Sherman replacement, they turned to their former quarterbacks coach, who was coming off a stint as the San Francisco 49ers ’ offensive coordinator. McCarthy inherited a four-win team with plenty of quarterback talent — Rodgers was still the young backup to Brett Favre at the time, coming off his 2005 rookie season in which he made just three game appearances.

McCarthy, with a background in quarterback development, is largely credited with Rodgers’ early-career development as a backup after being a first-round pick in 2005. The coach was known to work behind the scenes with Rodgers on his mechanics, which eventually led to him becoming an NFL star following Favre’s departure. In McCarthy’s debut season in 2006, the Packers finished 8-8.