Pittsburgh makes ‘rare’ $15 million Aaron Rodgers move

The Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting on QB Aaron Rodgers once again. Pittsburgh added some insurance during the draft, selecting Penn State’s Drew Allar in the third round. They also deployed a rare roster move on Tuesday that could keep Rodgers in Pittsburgh if he decides to return in 2026.

The Steelers have placed a rare UFA tender on Rodgers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It allows Rodgers to accept a 10% raise from last season’s salary, which would pay him $15 million for the 2026 season.

One condition of the tender is that Rodgers would only be able to sign with the Steelers once training camp begins this summer.

The UFA tender essentially preserves Pittsburgh’s right to receive a compensatory pick if Rodgers signs with another team. But once training camp begins, the tender will limit his ability to sign anywhere other than Pittsburgh.

The following note was sent to NFL teams announcing the move.

“UFA Aaron Rodgers, QB, California, received the UFA Tender from his Prior Club (Pittsburgh Steelers) and remains eligible to sign with any club. The Steelers will receive exclusive negotiating rights for Rodgers if he does not sign by July 22, 2026 or the first scheduled day of the first 2026 NFL training camp, whichever is later. If Rodgers signs with a New Club before that date, he would be a potential Compensatory Free Agent (“CFA”) lost by the Steelers and a potential CFA gained by the New Club if all other requirements are met under the Compensatory Draft System’s rules.”

If Rodgers does return in 2026, he will take over as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. Otherwise, the Steelers will have a training camp battle between Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Allar for the team’s starting job.

Hopefully Rodgers makes up his mind soon, one way or another.