Aaron Rodgers is set to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers after agreeing to a one-year contract worth up to $25 million, according to sources familiar with the deal. The four-time NFL MVP led the Steelers to an AFC North division title last season, throwing for 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Two people with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press that Rodgers agreed to the deal on Saturday, ending a lengthy decision-making process. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been officially announced. ESPN and NFL Network reported that the base salary is between $22 million and $23 million, with incentives pushing the total value to $25 million.
Rodgers, 42, guided Pittsburgh to the division crown in his first season with the team. He appeared to embrace playing for a franchise with deep football roots, similar to his earlier tenure with the Green Bay Packers. Now, he will be a Steeler for his 22nd season, which could be his final one.
The quarterback will reunite with former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, who was hired by the Steelers in January after Mike Tomlin stepped down following 19 seasons. Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 years together in Green Bay, where Rodgers developed into one of the game's biggest stars after becoming the starting quarterback in 2008. The Packers won Super Bowl XLV and Rodgers earned two of his four MVP awards under McCarthy's play-calling.
The Steelers made it clear they wanted Rodgers back, although several artificial deadlines—including the start of free agency in March and the NFL draft in April—passed without a signed deal. The club placed an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers, a procedural move that provided the Steelers protection if Rodgers had signed with another team before training camp.
It remains unclear whether a robust market for Rodgers existed, but that is now irrelevant. Last year, he waited until early June to join the Steelers, then spent the season embracing the experience, earning praise from teammates for his commitment and leadership.
Rodgers will join a quarterback room that expanded while he deliberated. The Steelers selected Penn State's Drew Allar in the third round of the draft, joining veteran Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025.
While the question was not whether Rodgers would re-sign but when, it is still uncertain when he will take the field with teammates. Pittsburgh begins organized team activities on 18 May.
