The Pair Combined for a 98-55-1 Record and a Super Bowl Title in Green Bay

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers thanked former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for reigniting his love for football, saying the 2025 season under Tomlin restored his passion for the game. "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. Rodgers, a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, joined the Steelers after a forgettable two-year stint with the New York Jets. Tomlin left Pittsburgh this offseason after 19 seasons with a 193-14-2 record, 13 playoff appearances, eight division titles, two Super Bowl appearances and one championship.

Rodgers added that after Tomlin's departure, the hiring of Mike McCarthy — his former Green Bay Packers coach for 13 seasons — made him consider a "full-circle" reunion. The pair combined for a 98-55-1 record and a Super Bowl title in Green Bay. "Mike and being around the guys got me that love back, and I was content in walking away, and then they hired Mike McCarthy, Rodgers said. "And then I was like, 'OK, maybe we need a full-circle [moment] here.