Rodgers to return to Steelers on one-year deal worth up to $25 million

Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth up to $25 million, sources told ESPN on Saturday night. The agreement, which includes a base salary between $22 million and $23 million with additional incentives, concludes a prolonged decision-making process that extended well beyond the NFL draft. Rodgers, 42, is scheduled to report to the team’s Organised Team Activities (OTAs) on Monday.

The deal reunites Rodgers with new head coach Mike McCarthy, who previously coached the quarterback for 13 seasons in Green Bay. McCarthy, hired to replace Mike Tomlin in January, had publicly expressed his desire to bring Rodgers back to Pittsburgh. Rodgers initially signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Steelers in June 2025, indicating at the time that the 2025 season would likely be his final one.

Despite team owner and president Art Rooney II stating the organisation expected a resolution by the start of the NFL draft, Rodgers made the decision on his own timeline. The Steelers had previously placed an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers, a procedural move designed to secure a compensatory draft pick if he signed elsewhere before training camp. While waiting for the decision, the Steelers drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round, a move McCarthy stated was unrelated to Rodgers’ status.

Rodgers’ 2025 season with the Steelers saw him adapt his playing style to emphasise quick passes, resulting in a career-high 6.5 yards after catch per completion for receivers. He finished the season with a 65.7% completion rate, 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The season concluded with a wildcard playoff loss to the Houston Texans, where Rodgers completed 51.5% of his attempts before an interception returned for a touchdown sealed the defeat.

Rodgers recently returned to the Pittsburgh area ahead of the OTAs and was observed socialising with teammates, including getting ice cream on Friday night. He had previously stated he wanted to make a decision about his future based on desire rather than physical ability, noting throughout the 2025 season that he felt physically capable of continuing.