Aaron Rodgers signs one-year, $13.6 million deal with Steelers ...
After much deliberation, Aaron Rodgers is off to the Steel City. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed the four-time most valuable player.
www.nfl.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting.
- The Steelers have placed a rare right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) tender on Aaron Rodgers, which generally allows Pittsburgh to match any offer Rodgers signs with another team and includes a negotiated raise (about 10% over his previous salary). This is aimed at keeping Rodgers in Pittsburgh if he decides to continue playing.[1][8]
- Some outlets describe the move as a seldom-used UFA tender that preserves the Steelers’ rights and potential compensatory draft implications if Rodgers signs elsewhere, though it does not guarantee a lock-in unless Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh or training camp agreements are reached.[2][5][7]
- Public discussions since late April 2026 indicate Rodgers would be in the vicinity of roughly $15 million for the 2026 season under the tender, with Pittsburgh retaining negotiation leverage, and the timeline to a final decision remaining open and uncertain.[3][1][2]
- Various outlets emphasize that the arrangement is not a guaranteed return to Pittsburgh; it preserves leverage and potential compensation if Rodgers signs elsewhere, and it may influence future drafting considerations depending on whether Rodgers signs with another team before certain deadlines.[4][5][7]
Illustrative example
- If Rodgers signs the tender, he would receive the 10% raise (about $15 million), and Pittsburgh would hold rights to match any offer from another team; if he signs with another club, Pittsburgh could receive a compensatory draft pick depending on the circumstances and timing.[7][1][2]
Would you like a quick comparison of the ROFR tender vs. a standard unrestricted free-agent offer, or a brief timeline of the key dates involved? I can also pull the latest direct quotes from Adam Schefter or ESPN if you want precise wording.