Aaron Rodgers Signs One-Year Deal to Return to Steelers
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has signed a one-year contract to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season, extending his Hall of Fame career into a 22nd NFL campaign. The deal, announced on May 18, reunites the four-time MVP with former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, who was hired in January after Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
The Deal
Rodgers’ new contract is reportedly worth up to $25 million, with a guaranteed base of approximately $22 million, according to NBC News. The BBC reports the deal includes incentives that could push the total value higher. Other outlets, including Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, report a base salary of $13.65 million with $10 million guaranteed and a max value of $19.5 million, reflecting different interpretations of base salary versus total potential value.
Reunion with Mike McCarthy
The most compelling narrative element of Rodgers’ return is his reunion with McCarthy, who coached him for 13 seasons in Green Bay (2006-2018) and won Super Bowl XLV together. McCarthy, hired in January after Tomlin stepped down following 19 seasons, made clear he wanted Rodgers back. “I mean definitely. I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy said at his introductory press conference, as reported by USA Today. “I have spoken to Aaron, and so that’s really where we are there.”
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with Pittsburgh, Rodgers started 16 games, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He led the Steelers to a 10-7 record and an AFC North division title — the franchise’s first since 2020. However, the season ended in disappointment with a 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, in which Rodgers took four sacks, lost a fumble returned for a touchdown, and threw a pick-six on his final pass.
Career Legacy
Rodgers, who turns 43 in December, is widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history. He ranks fourth all-time in passing touchdowns (527), fifth in passing yards (66,274), and is tied for first in career passer rating (102.2). He holds the NFL record for lowest career interception percentage (1.4%). His four NFL MVP awards trail only Peyton Manning’s five, and he is a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time First-Team All-Pro.
The Long Road to Pittsburgh
Drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2005, Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the franchise before being traded to the New York Jets in 2023. His Jets tenure was defined by a torn Achilles on his debut drive, followed by a 5-12 season in 2024 that led to his release. He signed with the Steelers in June 2025 on a one-year, $13.65 million deal.
Looking Ahead
Rodgers’ return provides stability at quarterback for a team undergoing a coaching transition. The Steelers selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft as a long-term prospect, but McCarthy stated the pick was not tied to Rodgers’ decision. The one-year nature of the deal suggests each season could be Rodgers’ last, continuing a pattern of annual retirement contemplation.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, a former Packers teammate of Rodgers, praised the veteran’s approach. “He’s extremely focused and locked in,” Arth said in a statement on the Steelers’ official site. “He plays the game like he’s still 10 years old running around in the backyard. At the same time, he’s got this ferocious competitive spirit that obviously helped push him to the heights that he’s reached.”
Rodgers participated in organized team activities on May 19, signaling his readiness for the upcoming season as he looks to build on a solid — if not spectacular — first year in Pittsburgh and prove he can still compete at an elite level.