by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published November 5, 2026, 1:31 PM

Steelers Aaron Rodgers: Different Mike, Better Results?

The Steelers are 6-2!

The band is back together, and Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are making another run at it. But here’s something I didn’t expect. Rodgers’ numbers aren’t necessarily better than they were a year ago.

With the Steelers sitting at 6-2 heading into their bye week, it’s hard to complain about the results.

But I decided to compare Rodgers’ first eight games in Pittsburgh last season, working with Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin, against his first eight games this year under McCarthy.

I’ll admit, I expected the numbers to lean heavily toward 2026.

They don’t.

In fact, some of the most recognizable quarterback statistics tell a different story. Rodgers is throwing more passes and gaining more yards this season, but his accuracy is down, his touchdown production has slipped, and he’s taking more sacks.

Of course, there are plenty of variables. Different plays, different personnel, different circumstances and different opponents all factor into the equation.

Still, for a quarterback working with a familiar head coach, the numbers are surprisingly similar.

The tale of two Aarons

Here’s how Rodgers’ first eight starts compare:

2025 – Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith

  • Team record: 5-3
  • Completions: 167
  • Pass attempts: 243
  • Completion percentage: 68.7%
  • Passing yards: 1,692
  • Passing touchdowns: 17
  • Interceptions: 5
  • Yards per attempt: 6.96
  • Times sacked: 15

2026 – Mike McCarthy

  • Team record: 6-2
  • Completions: 175
  • Pass attempts: 288
  • Completion percentage: 60.8%
  • Passing yards: 1,871
  • Passing touchdowns: 13
  • Interceptions: 6
  • Yards per attempt: 6.50
  • Times sacked: 23

Statistics reflect the first eight games of each season.

What jumps out?

More passing, fewer touchdowns.

Rodgers has attempted 45 more passes this season and thrown for 179 additional yards. But he’s also thrown four fewer touchdown passes. More opportunities haven’t translated into more scoring. 

The accuracy difference is significant.

Last season, Rodgers completed 68.7% of his passes. This year, that number has dropped to 60.8%. That’s nearly an eight-percentage-point decline. Not exactly what you’d expect from a quarterback reunited with a familiar offensive mind. DK Metcalf hasn’t helped the pass completion percentage if we are being honest. 

The offensive line isn’t doing him any favors.

Rodgers was sacked 15 times through eight games last season. That number has climbed to 23 this year. Eight additional sacks are nothing to celebrate, particularly when you’re protecting a 43-year-old quarterback. This is one category that should (we hope) improve over the course of the next nine games. Much of what you see is the future of the Steelers offensive line. 

The touchdown production has taken a step backward.

Seventeen touchdown passes in eight games last year compared to 13 this season. That’s four fewer trips to the end zone through the air. The Steelers have won more games, but Rodgers hasn’t been asked to produce more touchdowns to get there.

Pittsburgh actually scored more points last year.

The Steelers put up 202 points through their first eight games in 2025. This season, they’ve scored 180.

That’s 25.3 points per game last year compared to 22.5 this season.

So much for an offensive explosion following the McCarthy reunion.

The defense deserves plenty of credit.

Here’s where things get interesting.

Pittsburgh surrendered 195 points through its first eight games last season. This year, that number is down to 144.

That’s 51 fewer points allowed.

The Steelers are scoring less, but they’re also giving up considerably less. Winning football doesn’t always require your quarterback to put on a show.

Rodgers doesn’t need to be the whole show.

The numbers suggest Pittsburgh has found different ways to win. Rodgers has thrown fewer touchdown passes, completed a smaller percentage of his attempts and taken more sacks.

Yet the Steelers are 6-2.

That’s a pretty good argument for complementary football.

Different Mike, similar results?

At 43, Rodgers doesn’t necessarily need to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns every Sunday. He needs to make the right decisions, protect the football and give Pittsburgh a chance to win.

And so far, the Steelers are doing exactly that.

The band is back together. The Steelers are 6-2. The numbers might not be prettier, but the standings certainly are.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com

 

 

 

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