Aaron Rodgers contract details: Steelers QB signs 1-year deal to play in 22nd NFL season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Aaron Rodgers has flirted with retirement this offseason, but it will have to wait for now. He’s back in the Steel City.
The Steelers are officially bringing Rodgers back for another season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This will mark his second season with the Steelers. His 10-6 campaign in 2025 saw Pittsburgh return to the Wild Card game for a third consecutive season.
This is not the only major change in Pittsburgh this offseason, as Mike McCarthy was hired as the next head coach in January. From the start, his connection with Rodgers was clear, with fans speculating that McCarthy could serve as an enticing force for Rodgers to return.
McCarthy served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006-2018, with Rodgers on the team for all 13 years. Under McCarthy, Rodgers had a QB record of 100-57-1, including a Super Bowl victory in 2011.
Pittsburgh has struggled to make a deep postseason run in recent years. Their hope is that another season with Rodgers under center could be what changes that trend.
Here’s more on why Rodgers elected to return for another run.
MORE: Full 2026 NFL schedule featuring dates, times and networks for every game
Aaron Rodgers contract details
- Years: 1
- Amount: TBD
Rodgers’ agreement with Pittsburgh was for just one year, per Schefter, which was expected as he continues to take his NFL future on a year-by-year basis.
The legendary quarterback was expected to eventually re-sign with the Steelers as the offseason unfolded and the team pursued no true starting-level options for 2026. Now, Rodgers has officially put pen to paper — for now, it remains unknown how much his one-year deal will be worth.
However, Rodgers will be at the team’s voluntary offseason practice sessions by Monday, per Schefter.
Why did the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers?
The Steelers have had a revolving door at QB over the past few seasons. Russell Wilson served as QB1 in 2024, and Kenny Pickett saw most of the time in 2022 and 2023 before Rodgers arrived on the scene last year.
The Steelers have pursued longer-term options after drafting Drew Allar and Will Howard in the last two drafts, but neither are considered ready to step in as QB1 quite yet.
Rodgers provides that veteran presence for another season. With Rodgers leading the way, he can both provide a serviceable offense for a playoff-caliber team and usher a QB of the future into a starting role in Pittsburgh.
MORE: Why did Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as head coach?
This time around, Pittsburgh’s offseason was at a standstill to a degree because of Rodgers. There were other free-agent QBs on the market, but the Steelers held out, awaiting Rodgers’ retirement decision.
With the quarterback concern in Pittsburgh now quelled, the team can head into the summer officially knowing how its offense will look Rodgers will be around for 2026 with the chance to serve as both an offensive threat and a mentor to Allar and Howard.
This adds to a busy offseason in Pittsburgh that saw them sign CB Jamel Dean, RB Rico Dowdle, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, and S Jaquan Brisker. With these new additions, Pittsburgh is bolstering the core for Rodgers to play around in 2026.
MORE: What are the best QB matchups on the 2026 NFL schedule?
Aaron Rodgers age
Rodgers is 42 years old, making him the oldest active player in the NFL.
He will turn 43 on December 2, 1983, making him the only 43 year-old in the NFL in 2026.
Aaron Rodgers stats
| Year | Record | Comp. % | Passing yards | Pass TDs | INTs | Rating |
| 2005 | — | 56.3 | 65 | 0 | 1 | 39.8 |
| 2006 | — | 40.0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2007 | — | 71.4 | 218 | 1 | 0 | 106.0 |
| 2008 | 6-10 | 63.6 | 4,038 | 28 | 13 | 93.8 |
| 2009 | 11-5 | 64.7 | 4,434 | 30 | 7 | 103.2 |
| 2010 | 10-5 | 65.7 | 3,922 | 28 | 11 | 101.2 |
| 2011 | 14-1 | 68.3 | 4,643 | 45 | 6 | 122.5 |
| 2012 | 11-5 | 67.2 | 4,295 | 39 | 8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 6-3 | 66.6 | 2,536 | 17 | 6 | 104.9 |
| 2014 | 12-4 | 65.6 | 4,381 | 38 | 5 | 112.2 |
| 2015 | 10-6 | 60.7 | 3,821 | 31 | 8 | 92.7 |
| 2016 | 10-6 | 65.7 | 4,428 | 40 | 7 | 104.2 |
| 2017 | 4-3 | 64.7 | 1,675 | 16 | 6 | 97.2 |
| 2018 | 6-9-1 | 62.3 | 4,442 | 25 | 2 | 97.6 |
| 2019 | 13-3 | 62.0 | 4,002 | 26 | 4 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 13-3 | 70.7 | 4,299 | 48 | 5 | 121.5 |
| 2021 | 13-3 | 68.9 | 4,115 | 37 | 4 | 111.9 |
| 2022 | 8-9 | 64.6 | 3,695 | 26 | 12 | 91.1 |
| 2023 | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| 2024 | 5-12 | 63.0 | 3,897 | 28 | 11 | 90.5 |
| 2025 | 10-6 | 65.7 | 3,322 | 24 | 7 | 94.8 |
| Career | 163-93-1 | 65.1 | 66,274 | 527 | 123 | 102.2 |