Aaron Rodgers to re-join Steelers, face Falcons in Week 1

When the schedule dropped last week we didn't know who the Atlanta Falcons would be facing when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Now we have a much better idea.

According to a Sunday morning report by Adam Shefter at ESPN, four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the Steelers for the 2026 season, signing a one-year deal and setting up a matchup with Atlanta to begin the campaign.

Rodgers is of course now well past his best years and isn't the elite threat that he used to be. However, if he'd decided to retire or play somewhere else, Pittsburgh would likely be starting Mason Rudolph at quarterback instead - a pretty dramatic step down even from this modern diminished version of Rodgers.

Last season Rodgers looked as good as he has since he left the Green Bay Packers, posting 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and a 94.8 passer rating, ranking 14th in the NFL. The Steelers went 10-6 with Rodgers as their starter.

As for his track record against the Falcons, Rodgers has faced Atlanta eight times in the regular season, going 4-4. His numbers have been pretty spectacular. Rodgers has totaled 21 touchdown passes to go with just two interceptions in those games, completing 70% of his passes and posting a 115.6 passer rating. In two playoff games against Atlanta Rodgers has dropped 653 yards, six touchdowns and one INT, going 1-1.

Daunting as those numbers may be, it's been a long time since Rodgers last faced the Falcons. Their most recent-meeting was in the 2020 season when Rodgers was still in his prime.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons to face Aaron Rodgers, Steeelers in NFL Week 1