Aaron Rodgers signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 NFL season. The 42-year-old quarterback agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million.
What happened?
Rodgers was among those in Pittsburgh on Monday, as ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported on Saturday that Rodgers and the Steelers agreed to the deal. It includes a base salary between $22 and $23 million.
The Steelers were his most logical landing spot after they made him the focal point of their QB search for the second straight offseason period. Applying the unrestricted free agency tender to Rodgers in April was the strongest sign yet of how badly they wanted a reunion.
Why it matters for Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers' decision to keep playing comes as a bit of a surprise given how he performed on the field. He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Steelers, who won the AFC North but lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the divisional round.
In general, Rodgers is fighting a losing battle with Father Time. His skills have clearly diminished, and he was especially affected when facing any pressure. His pocket awareness was nowhere near what it had been, which resulted in some bad sacks and a propensity to release the ball quicker to avoid the rush.
What comes next?
Rodgers is expected to practice with the Steelers on Monday when OTAs begin, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The market for Rodgers' services during the 2025 offseason wasn't very robust. The Minnesota Vikings were reportedly his first choice but removed themselves from the running.
That left the Steelers and New York Giants as his two options in the end. Teams might be even less inclined to offer a contract this time around when his limitations as a passer were more glaring. The arc of Pittsburgh's season also undercut the argument he makes a meaningful difference in terms of winning games.
The Steelers won the AFC North for the first time since 2020, and head coach Mike Tomlin once again failed to post a losing record. That largely reflected how bad the division was more than anything else. Reality hit Pittsburgh squarely in the face in the playoffs.
The Steelers had just 175 yards of offense against the Texans. When he signed with the team, Rodgers asserted that he didn't need it for his ego. He told reporters that a lot of decisions that he's made over his career and life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling.
But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling. This was a decision that was best for his soul, and he felt like being here with coach Mike Tomlin and the guys that got here was the right choice. Rodgers will look to prove himself once again in the 2026 NFL season with the Steelers.
The Steelers' QB depth chart now has Rodgers at the top, followed by Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar. Rodgers will have to perform well to keep his starting job, as the Steelers have other options if he falters. The 2026 NFL season will be an interesting one for Rodgers and the Steelers.
Rodgers' contract details were reported by Adam Schefter, who said the deal is worth up to $25 million. The base salary is between $22 and $23 million, which is a significant amount for a 42-year-old quarterback. However, the Steelers believe Rodgers can still perform at a high level and lead the team to victory.
The Steelers' fans will be excited to see Rodgers back on the field, and he will look to prove himself once again as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. With his new contract, Rodgers will have the opportunity to lead the Steelers to the playoffs and make a deep run in the 2026 NFL season.