Teresa Varley

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year contract to return to the Steelers on Monday, the first day of the team's OTAs.

After taking the field for the team's first two sessions, he talked to the media on Wednesday and shared there was in fact doubt this offseason as to whether he would play another year.

"There was some doubt for sure but having conversations with (Coach) Mike (McCarthy), going back to when he was hired," said Rodgers. "It's nice to come back. It felt different than last year. So, it felt good coming in.

"I had a lot of conversations with Mike and (General Manager) Omar (Khan) for a while. I had a lot of conversations with my wife about it. After the draft, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to play, I wanted to come back."

One thing Rodgers doesn't have any doubt about is beyond the 2026 season.

When asked if this would be his final season, his answer was short and to the point.

"Yes," said Rodgers.

Rodgers said one of the conversations he had with Khan in the offseason was encouraging him to consider McCarthy in the hiring process for the Steelers head coaching position after Mike Tomlin stepped down.

"I had a conversation with Omar in the last year," said Rodgers. "I encouraged him for an outside perspective to interview Mike. Not thinking that he even would, honestly, because the way the league goes and the trend, it's kind of whoever worked with Sean (McVay), Kyle (Shanahan) or one of those guys, now gets a lot of looks, and multiple guys in those trees have.

"But then when it became more serious, I was thinking, wow, that would be a really interesting thought to come back and play with Mike.

"And it's more than just Mike. It's James Campen, he's been a close friend since he was coaching Green Bay with me for 14 years. Mark Lovat, same thing. Grant Thorne, I've been around him a long time. Obviously, I know (Jason) Simmons and Joe Whitt, Pat Graham from my time in Green Bay. So, a lot of familiarity with those guys."

More to come from Rodgers.