Aaron Rodgers reportedly agrees to one-year deal with the Steelers
I had the chance to talk with ESPN analyst Dan Graziano about the tender, and he tells me what the Steelers did is really like adding an insurance policy. He says it places *** deadline on Rodgers to decide whether he will return to play with the Steelers or choose another team. And if he chooses another team, the Steelers would get *** draft pick in return. And Graziano says this is really about protecting themselves. It’s Aaron Rodgers. He is mercurial. He is unpredictable. Dan Graziano says it is tough to know what Aaron Rodgers is thinking or how he’s leaning. And with the draft ending and no answer from Rodgers, the Steelers place this undrafted free agent tender on the veteran quarterback to set parameters and get something back if he decides to go. I think what they’re thinking is, well, he hasn’t agreed yet, and until he does, there’s *** chance he doesn’t. And if he does find *** better offer somewhere else, we just want to be covered. Part of that means if Rodgers signs with *** new team, the Steelers pick up *** compensatory draft pick next year. Or if Rodgers doesn’t make *** decision at all by July 20th, the Steelers automatically have the exclusive rights to negotiate with him. Yeah, they, they’ve got to do what’s best for them, you know. They’re in the midst of, you know, getting into the season’s camp, and yeah, they got. Do what they got to do. Some fans we spoke with get the move. Aaron Rodgers retire. I think he should retire. Some think they should both move on. Graziano says while Rodgers is the question now, no matter the outcome here, the Steelers have to look much deeper soon. Eventually they’re going to have to address the quarterback position in *** meaningful long-term way. Aaron Rodgers is going to turn 43 this season. Uh, even if he has ***, ***, *** great year at 43, he’s not their long-term answer at the position. So whatever Rodgers decides or doesn’t decide, the Steelers will have their answer by that July 22nd deadline. So in just under three months, covering Allegheny County from South Shore, Marcy Cipriani, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
Aaron Rodgers reportedly agrees to one-year deal with the Steelers
Updated: 8:11 PM EDT May 16, 2026
Aaron Rodgers is reportedly sticking around in Pittsburgh.The 42-year-old quarterback reportedly reached a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 22nd season in the NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.The deal would be a reunion for the four-time MVP and new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers’ coach in Green Bay when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV.Citing sources, Schefter said the deal is worth up to $25 million.Schefter wrote, “the deal is expected to include a base salary between $22 and $23 million, with up to a few million more in incentives.”Previous video above: Steelers place UFA tender on Aaron RodgersThe news comes after the Steelers placed the unrestricted free agent tag on Rodgers — a seldom-used move that entitled Pittsburgh to a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signed with another team. If Rodgers had not chosen by July 22 whether to return or move on, the team would have held exclusive rights to negotiate with him.Rodgers originally signed a one-year contract with the Steelers for the 2025 season. Pittsburgh went 10-7 and won the AFC North, but lost to the Houston Texans in the opening round of the playoffs.”This was such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun,” Rodgers said following the playoff loss in January. “You know, my life in the last year – this is a really good part of that, coming here and being a part of this team, so it’s disappointing to be sitting here.”The Associated Press contributed to this article.
PITTSBURGH —
Aaron Rodgers is reportedly sticking around in Pittsburgh.
The 42-year-old quarterback reportedly reached a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 22nd season in the NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The deal would be a reunion for the four-time MVP and new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers’ coach in Green Bay when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV.
Citing sources, Schefter said the deal is worth up to $25 million.
Schefter wrote, “the deal is expected to include a base salary between $22 and $23 million, with up to a few million more in incentives.”
Previous video above: Steelers place UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers
The news comes after the Steelers placed the unrestricted free agent tag on Rodgers — a seldom-used move that entitled Pittsburgh to a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signed with another team. If Rodgers had not chosen by July 22 whether to return or move on, the team would have held exclusive rights to negotiate with him.
Rodgers originally signed a one-year contract with the Steelers for the 2025 season. Pittsburgh went 10-7 and won the AFC North, but lost to the Houston Texans in the opening round of the playoffs.
“This was such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun,” Rodgers said following the playoff loss in January. “You know, my life in the last year – this is a really good part of that, coming here and being a part of this team, so it’s disappointing to be sitting here.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.