For the second time in as many years, the Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting on Aaron Rodgers. With hopes that this saga won’t take as long as it did last offseason, some are trying to find reasons as to why Rodgers hasn’t re-signed with the team yet.
That includes financial considerations. Charlie Batch recently speculated that he believes the hold-up was due to money, and he figured Rodgers might want $30 million per year. There was some reporting that pushed back on that. But Batch recently doubled down on his belief that Rodgers wants $30 million. While beat writer Mark Kaboly doesn’t believe that’s a number the Steelers would entertain, he does think they expect to pay more for Rodgers’ services in 2026.
“That’s what people, probably, are questioning, the number [Batch] threw out. I think what he really meant is, he’s [Rodgers] gonna want to be paid more. And I think the Steelers do anticipate him wanting a raise. But that big 3-0 mark, I don’t think that’s something he would ask for, something they would even entertain, to be honest with you,” Kaboly said Monday on 93.7 The Fan.
It’s pretty clear that Rodgers outplayed his $13.6 million deal last year. But it also seems clear that it isn’t all about money for Rodgers at this point in his career. He’s made plenty of it throughout his two decades in the league. Coming to Pittsburgh last year felt like a chance for him to end his career on his terms, his smaller contract being evidence of that.
Of course, if Aaron Rodgers wants a raise, the Steelers can’t really argue with that. And they’d be in no position to do so with the draft representing their last real chance to add to the position. But $30 million would be a tough number for the Steelers to agree to. As of now they’d still have 12 draft picks to sign. And a salary like that might limit them on the trade market later this offseason. Money can be moved around to make it work, but things would be more difficult.
While he doesn’t expect $30 million, Kaboly does think Rodgers will want more money than Kirk Cousins.
“Of course he’s going to want a raise, to at least get more money than Kirk Cousins. But that $30 million is kind of crazy. It’s gonna happen, it’s just a matter of when,” Kaboly said.
Recently signing with Las Vegas, Cousins is on a decent contract. It’s not all coming from the Raiders, but Cousins is will make $20 million for the 2026 season. He was solid last year, but so was Rodgers. The latter did so on a full season while leading his team to the playoffs. It would certainly be reasonable for him to want to earn more than Cousins.
That said, the number isn’t going to be astronomical. But according to Kaboly, the Steelers should be aware they’re going to have to pay Aaron Rodgers more than they did in 2025.
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