The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially secured their quarterback for the 2026 season by signing Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $25 million deal.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Rodgers chose to forgo retirement because his time in Pittsburgh last season helped him “rekindle his love of football.”
While the departure of Mike Tomlin was a significant change for the team, Rodgers' longstanding relationship with new head coach Mike McCarthy, who was his coach when they won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay, was a key factor in his decision to return for a 22nd NFL season.
However, the portrayal that this reunion was always a “fait accompli” is being challenged.
Mike Florio of NBC Sports criticized the media's “revisionist history,” particularly targeting reports suggesting that Rodgers' return was “the plan all along.”
Florio points out that if this outcome were truly certain, the Steelers wouldn't have let their “patience wear thin” during the draft process, nor would they have placed an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers, a strategic move meant to protect the team in case he signed elsewhere.
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He argues that the reality was more uncertain and suggests that the deal finally happened because the Steelers did not have a viable starter, and Rodgers lacked other serious offers in free agency.
Despite the off-field discussions, Rodgers is already demonstrating his commitment to the new regime.
According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, he was among the first players to arrive at the Steelers' facility for the start of organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday, checking in before 7:00 AM.
As the veteran begins to navigate McCarthy’s offensive system, his early arrival signals his focus on ensuring his tenure in Pittsburgh ends on a more positive note than last year's playoff exit.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially secured their quarterback for the 2026 season by signing Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $25 million deal. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Rodgers chose to forgo retirement because his time in Pittsburgh last season helped him “rekindle his love of football.