The NFL has set the 2026 schedule release for May 14, meaning that the Jacksonville Jaguars will soon find out the exact day they'll play the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
This matchup will be noteworthy because the Jags will face several playoff teams, including Pittsburgh. The difference is that, unlike other contenders, the Steelers were underwhelming last year, which is why they chose to part ways with Mike Tomlin and hired Mike McCarthy as the head coach.
While McCarthy routinely took the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs throughout his coaching career, you will be hard-pressed to find someone across the league who believes he's among the best at his job. Couple that with the fact that there's a new Aaron Rodgers update, and Jacksonville should have a favorable matchup when it faces the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers will likely be the QB when the Steelers play the Jaguars
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Aaron Rodgers will likely suit up for the Steelers next season, adding that it's not written in stone, but his plan is to play for Pittsburgh.
A first-round pick in 2025, Rodgers is one of the oldest tenured players in the NFL. Back in the 2010s, he was arguably the best quarterback in the whole league. Heck, he won MVP honors as recently as 2021. But it's been five years since then, and at 43, the former Cal Bear isn't getting any younger.
Rodgers was dependable in 2026, completing 65.7 percent of his throws for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. On the other hand, he averaged a mediocre 6.7 yards per throw and posted a measly QBR of 44.4. Simply put, his best days are well behind him.
Compounding the issue is that Pittsburgh doesn't truly have a long-term answer behind center, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allen in the mix. None of them has proven that they're capable NFL starters, so the Steelers could be in trouble if one of them has to be thrust into action for an extended period of time.
Why the Jaguars will want to face Aaron Rodgers in the 2026 season
Of course, there's a chance Aaron Rodgers will decide that it's no longer worth it and hang up his cleats. But if, as expected, he plays in 2026, he will no longer be the quarterback he was five years ago, let alone 10 when he was in his prime. That could spell trouble for the Steelers, but it will potentially give the Jaguars a favorable matchup when they face their AFC foe.
The Jags, for their part, have the firepower to stop Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offense. With Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker on the edges, they should be able to bring the heat from both sides. Travis Hunter will patrol the perimeter opposite Montaric Brown, while safety Antonio Johnson serves as an enforcer in the back end.
When you add it all up, the Jaguars will be licking their chops when they face the Steelers, as this could turn out to be one of their easiest bouts in a schedule that's otherwise filled with tough opponents.
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