{"id":611639,"date":"2026-04-28T17:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/611639\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T17:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:41:07","slug":"schefter-steelers-place-rarely-used-tender-on-qb-aaron-rodgers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/611639\/","title":{"rendered":"Schefter: Steelers Place Rarely-Used Tender On QB Aaron Rodgers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed a rarely-used unrestricted tender on QB Aaron Rodgers, per ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

As Schefter outlines, the tender means Rodgers can sign a one-year deal with a 10 percent increase over his 2025 salary. Once training camp begins, Rodgers would only be permitted to sign with the Steelers.<\/p>\n

Sources: the Steelers placed the rare UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers, meaning that he can accept a 10 percent raise off last year\u2019s salary, which would pay him about $15 million this season.<\/p>\n

As another condition of the tender, Rodgers would only be able to sign with the Steelers\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/G5NABNOTgF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

UPDATE (11:19 AM):\u00a0Schefter\u2019s initially tweeted it was a \u201cright of first refusal\u201d tender that would allow Pittsburgh to match should another team offer a contract. Reviewing the CBA, that is not the case, and the Steelers would not have the chance to match the offer should another team make it. Schefter\u2019s updated the language of his tweet.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an unusual move rarely exercised by teams, especially for larger contracts and the quarterback position. It\u2019s not fully clear why Pittsburgh felt compelled to use this tender. Nor is it clear how Rodgers will react to the news. While partially procedural, it does place a level of constraint over Rodgers he might not be fond of.<\/p>\n

In 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns applied the tender to RB J.K. Dobbins and WR Elijah Moore,<\/a> respectively. Dobbins ultimately took a deal with the Denver Broncos while Moore signed with the Buffalo Bills.<\/p>\n

As salary cap expert Nick Korte noted, this will protect Pittsburgh and allow it to receive a future compensatory selection should Rodgers sign elsewhere despite the belief that the Steelers are his only suitor.<\/p>\n

I was wondering if any players would be worthy of a UFA tender, and now we know.<\/p>\n

Aaron Rodgers remains eligible to become a compensatory free agent, and exceeding $15M APY could put such a contract in the 4th round range.<\/p>\n

But he seems unlikely to leave Pittsburgh. https:\/\/t.co\/4otW8MI6KY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nick Korte (@nickkorte) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Korte also noted<\/a> this is the highest-level such tender he can recall being placed on a player. Jonathan Jones outlined the scenario in which this tender would give Pittsburgh a 2027 compensatory selection. Although by the start of training camp, Rodgers only can negotiate with the Steelers, making a compensatory scenario moot.<\/p>\n

Our Dave Bryan crunched the numbers based on the language of this tag in the CBA, and Rodgers\u2019 cap number will temporarily be $15,015,000.<\/p>\n

$13,650,000 x 110% = $15,015,000 and that should now be the current 2026 salary cap charge for Aaron Rodgers for the meantime. #steelers<\/a> #NFL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steelers Depot 7\u20e3 (@Steelersdepot) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Say Rodgers does not return to PIT, then in June gets the itch. Maybe a QB somewhere gets hurt. He signs an 8-figure 1 year deal. With this tender, PIT ensures he would count in the comp pick formula in 27.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

As of 4PM on Monday, lost URFAs no longer count in the compensatory formula. However, now that the Steelers have issued the rare ROFR URFA tender to Rodgers, should he sign with another team, the Steelers will get compensatory value for losing him. Should Rodgers not sign a\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/gjWavATXo0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steelers Depot 7\u20e3 (@Steelersdepot) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Per reports over the last several months, Pittsburgh\u2019s belief has been that Rodgers will return to the Steelers. The timeline for when that\u2019ll happen has been pushed back with owner Art Rooney II noting an answer is likely to come during OTAs.<\/a> Pittsburgh begins its voluntary sessions May 18 with its mandatory minicamp held in early June.<\/p>\n

As Dave Bryan shared, the move is happening now because the compensatory formula window is about to close, meaning this type of tender had to occur right after the draft.<\/p>\n

To use this sort of URFA tender, it needs to happen right after the draft. That’s why it is happening today, because today teams no longer receive compensatory value for lost URFAs to other teams. #Steelers<\/a> #NFL<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/yOXtMdojdY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steelers Depot 7\u20e3 (@Steelersdepot) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

During an offseason interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers noted that the Steelers had yet to offer him a contract. The tender now gives him clear terms of what a deal would look like. Despite speculation, Schefter\u2019s reported throughout the offseason that contract terms aren\u2019t a sticking point<\/a> between Rodgers and the Steelers.<\/p>\n

Financially, using the tender means the contract applies to Pittsburgh\u2019s salary cap, per OTC\u2019s Jason Fitzgerald.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The Steelers have been in regular contact with Rodgers throughout this process. It seems likely he will return. If so, the terms of his contract have been made clear with this tender. Now, the ball is in Rodgers\u2019 court, even though it\u2019s been throughout this process.<\/p>\n