Another NFL offseason of waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his playing future. This time around, the intrigue isn’t the same given his age and play, but don’t tell that to anyone involved with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and recently drafted Drew Allar the only three quarterbacks currently on the roster, the Steelers are doing all they can to ensure the veteran Rodgers returns for a second season in the Steel City.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, they’ve gone as far as placing the rare UFA tender on the four-time MVP, one that provides him a 10 percent raise from his 2025 salary and allows Pittsburgh to match any outside offers should they come in. The tender also means they would receive a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers were to land with another team by training camp.
“Sources: the Steelers placed the rare UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers, meaning that he can accept a 10 percent raise off last year’s salary, which would pay him about $15 million this season. As another condition of the tender, Rodgers would only be able to sign with the Steelers once training camp begins.
This UFA tender preserves the Steelers right to receive a compensatory draft pick in the event that Aaron Rodgers signs with another team while limiting his ability to sign with another team once training camp begins,”
The 42-year-old Rodgers put up a respectable 94.8 QBR, passing for 3,332 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions across 16 starts in his first season with the Steelers.
It’s a move that suggests Pittsburgh is protecting itself from Rodgers signing elsewhere, something that had never appeared to be on the table thus far throughout the offseason.
A return to the Steelers or retirement still feels like the most likely scenario, though this news certainly adds an interesting wrinkle to the situation.
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