How Long Is The Aaron Rodgers Leash?

The Aaron Rodgers–Mike McCarthy reunion was supposed to be one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 NFL season. Instead, two weeks in, Steelers fans are already wondering how long this thing can realistically last. Rodgers returned to Pittsburgh for another season largely because of McCarthy, the coach who helped guide him through the most productive stretch of his career in Green Bay. Rodgers has also made it clear that 2026 is his final NFL season.

But nostalgia doesn't block defensive linemen, and it doesn't manufacture explosive plays. Rodgers was brutally blindsided early last Sunday against the New England Patriots, and the Bengals will similarly be looking to feast on the veteran pocket presence.

Through two games, Pittsburgh's offense has scored just 23 points and only one offensive touchdown. The Steelers are averaging 11.5 points and fewer than 300 yards per game, while Rodgers is completing under 60 percent of his passes with a 72.1 passer rating.

So, how long is the leash?

• The offense simply isn't functioning.
Rodgers isn't solely responsible for Pittsburgh's offensive problems. The offensive line has struggled, the running game hasn't provided much help and receivers have had their own issues. But eventually, the quarterback has to make the unit better. Through two weeks, Rodgers hasn't been able to do that consistently. He's averaging only 5.2 yards per attempt, and remarkably, he has yet to complete a pass of more than 20 air yards.

• The Steelers have another option.
The question isn't whether Rodgers deserves respect. He absolutely does. The question is whether Pittsburgh can afford to sacrifice an entire season simply because this is supposed to be his final ride. Analysts have already raised the possibility of turning to younger quarterbacks such as Drew Allar or Will Howard if the offense continues to struggle. If Pittsburgh falls out of contention, giving a younger quarterback meaningful snaps becomes considerably easier to justify.

• McCarthy's relationship with Rodgers won't buy unlimited patience.
McCarthy knows exactly what Rodgers can be capable of, which is probably one reason this marriage happened in the first place. But that familiarity can only carry so much weight. McCarthy was brought to Pittsburgh to change the trajectory of this football team, not simply to provide Rodgers with a comfortable final season. After Pittsburgh's 20-3 loss to New England, even Rodgers acknowledged that the offense needs to improve and that communication between quarterback and coaching staff has to get better.

And then comes Cincinnati.

The Bengals enter Pittsburgh at 2-0 after dominating Houston 20-6, while the Steelers are 1-1 following that ugly loss in New England. Cincinnati's defense just held the Texans to six points and 60 rushing yards, while generating pressure from all over the front.

The spread currently sits at Bengals -3.5.

That number feels short.

Cincinnati has the quarterback, the weapons and a defense that appears perfectly equipped to make Pittsburgh's offensive line problems even worse. If Rodgers is forced into another afternoon of quick, short throws while the Bengals collapse the pocket, this could get ugly quickly.

The Cover's Pick: Bengals -3.5.

Joe Burrow and company should roll into Pittsburgh, expose the Steelers' offensive problems and win this one by more than a field goal.

If that happens, the question won't simply be how long is Rodgers' leash?

It'll be whether Mike McCarthy is willing to keep holding it.