EXCLUSIVE: Aaron Rodgers is playing out the final season of his storied career with the Steelers, and former offensive lineman Alan Faneca outlined the "pressure" of protecting a future Hall of Famer

The Pittsburgh Steelers are riding the Aaron Rodgers rollercoaster one final time.

The 2026 season is set to be Rodgers’ last of his illustrious NFL career, spent predominantly with the Green Bay Packers. The four-time MVP led the Packers to a Super Bowl title, and he has linked back up with former head coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh for his last ride.

Having struggled against the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns, Rodgers’ form fluctuates week to week. But he delivered on Sunday, throwing for 235 yards and three touchdowns as Jaylen Warren starred in the 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

It may not come out of the bottle as frequently as it did in the past, but Rodgers can still conjure up genius when the Steelers come to town. He twice combined with Pat Freiermuth for scores, including a clutch 17-yard touchdown on third-and-6 in the fourth quarter.

Given his age and an Achilles tear still fresh in memory, Rodgers needs protection. He has been sacked 14 times in 2026, including five times in the loss to the Browns on Thursday Night Football. The 42-year-old was sacked just once versus the Colts.

Alan Faneca won a Super Bowl with the Steelers while protecting Ben Roethlisberger, then joined the New York Jets, where he worked with Rodgers’ predecessor in Green Bay, Brett Favre. He highlighted the “pressure” the Steelers' offensive line may feel when protecting Rodgers, given his stature and the fact that it is his final season.

“It doesn't change the thought process, but it does change the dynamics a little bit,” Faneca, via casino.org, told The Mirror U.S. “Pressure is not a good word for it, but you do feel more of a responsibility to keep a guy clean and not even get nicked.

“You’re straining through and really just trying to keep them clean as much as possible. I definitely think, as a group, we felt that in New York when Brett came in. It's not like we were going to do our job any worse or better than the week before he got there, but when somebody like that gets in there, the spotlight's on him.

“You know what he's trying to do. You know what he's about and what he's given the team; you want to give it your best as well. It makes you even more motivated to give him that last split second of time to make some of that magic happen.”

Through 5 games in the 2026 season, Rodgers and the Steelers sit at 3-2. The vibes are high coming off a win, but each time the AFC North franchise falls short, whispers get ever so louder for a young quarterback to enter the fold in Pittsburgh.

Given Drew Allar was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he showed flashes of his potential in preseason, McCarthy could turn to the rookie - or Will Howard - if Rodgers falters and the Steelers season is going nowhere. Faneca still thinks both need patience, but acknowledged they need playing time at some point.

“I think they are trying to develop it (the QB situation),” Faneca added. “I kind of paid attention to that in the offseason; it definitely seemed like they were putting a lot of emphasis on that, giving them the reps, pushing them. I think Coach McCarthy has the proven record to develop those guys and see what they're capable of.

“As far as throwing the late first, mid-round draft picks at quarterbacks, that's kind of an organizational way as long as they're never going to reach too high in the draft for somebody that doesn't deserve it in their eyes. That's just kind of how they're going to keep playing things out until something falls to them a little better, or they develop a guy and he proves to be something that they can put out on the field and build around.

“If you look at Drew Allar and Will Howard, both their college careers, they were both able to do big things in college and play in the big games and the big stages, in front of the lights. There is a difference between college and the NFL, and sometimes things get overlooked. They’ve shown it on the field, but they need to step it up a little in this league.

“I think both of those guys have got the ability to try and put something together and see if they can make a run at it.”

The Steelers face the 1-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18.