The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have their answer on Aaron Rodgers, and he’s coming back for one more season. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers is expected to ink a one-year deal worth up to $25 million with the franchise.
“The deal is expected to include a base salary between $22 and $23 million, with up to a few million more in incentives,” Schefter stated on X on Saturday night.
While some are skeptical about having a 42-year-old quarterback heading up the Steelers for another year, there are some reasons to be thrilled about this move if you’re a Steelers fan.
What does Aaron Rodgers’ return to the Steelers mean for the franchise?
One of the main reasons to be happy about this move is that having Rodgers back brings consistency to the team that the Steelers need right now. The team is heading into their 2026-27 season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, following Mike Tomlin’s departure after 19 seasons, and that move alone turned this franchise upside down.
McCarthy is anything but a newbie at being a head coach, most recently heading up the Dallas Cowboys, but having the security of a veteran quarterback like Rodgers, who’s already familiar with this franchise, will go a long way.
Another reason for Pittsburgh to celebrate is simply that the team didn’t have strong options if Rodgers didn’t return this season. In addition to Rodgers, the Steelers have Mason Rudolph, a 2018 third-round pick, Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick, and 2026 third-round selection Drew Allar.
Allar and Howard still haven’t played a game in the NFL, so there’s that. Rudolph has potential, but it’s not like having a veteran like Rodgers in the fold. Rudolph has appeared in 19 NFL games in the past seven years, and according to NFL research, he’s notched 30 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
It’s hard to build on the future if the present is in turmoil. Having Rodgers back in Pittsburgh will make it so that the season is stable, and that helps McCarthy and the team prepare for what’s next.