Rodgers returns – Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a one-year deal worth north of $25 million, keeping him at the quarterback position through at least 2026 after an offseason decision between retiring and returning. The move leaves Pittsburgh with a backup q
Pittsburgh’s offseason had carried an uncomfortable question mark at quarterback. with Aaron Rodgers weighing whether to retire or come back for 2026.. That uncertainty is now gone: Rodgers and the Steelers agreed to a one-year contract worth north of $25 million. giving Pittsburgh a bridge at the position through at least 2026.
For a player who looked increasingly close to the end after a failed stint with the Jets. the storyline has taken a different turn in black and gold.. The reason isn’t being framed as purely financial or competitive.. Rodgers’ return traces back to what he appeared to find in Pittsburgh—an effort to rekindle his love for the game after a rougher stretch elsewhere.
The shift also ties back to relationships inside the building.. Rodgers spent last season playing under Mike Tomlin. and even after Tomlin was fired this offseason. Rodgers has a close connection with new head coach Mike McCarthy from their time together in Green Bay.. Those ties. alongside the reported sense of having “a ton of fun” in Pittsburgh last season. helped steer the decision toward another year under center.
With Rodgers choosing to return, the Steelers avoided a quarterback-inventory problem—but not without its own tension.. Had he retired, Pittsburgh would have faced a choice between rookie Drew Allar and second-year quarterback Will Howard.. Howard has already received a lot of work with the new staff while Rodgers made his decision. yet the immediate picture now suggests Howard slides back into the backup role this season.
Rodgers may not be the MVP-winning version of himself, but his production last season still carried weight.. In 16 games in 2025, he completed nearly 66% of his passes for 3,322 yards, threw 24 touchdowns, and had just seven interceptions.. Pittsburgh’s offense, built on short passes, is expected to keep leaning that way this fall.
Rodgers is also set to work with more offensive firepower this season after the Steelers traded for Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr.. during the offseason.. Playing alongside DK Metcalf. Pittman is viewed as a way to add explosiveness that Rodgers can use as he tries to extend the momentum for at least one more year.
The picture of why the Steelers were willing to wait for Rodgers is consistent with what happened next: a months-long decision between retiring and returning ended with a one-year. north-of-$25-million deal. and the same offseason uncertainty that would have forced Pittsburgh to start Allar or Howard now becomes a backup arrangement once again for Howard because Rodgers stays.
Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 season Mike McCarthy Mike Tomlin Drew Allar Will Howard Michael Pittman Jr DK Metcalf NFL rumors