Aaron Rodgers set to begin his 22nd NFL season after agreeing to a Pittsburgh Steelers contract
Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Finally.
The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year contract worth $22 million guaranteed with the Steelers on Saturday, a source confirmed. The deal could reach $25 million with incentives.
The Steelers perhaps expected this to be the case weeks or even months ago, but Rodgers methodically took his sweet time before committing. It’s happening now.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers attempts to complete a pass in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 12, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
We’re about to see Rodgers turn 42 (and 43 in December) in his 22nd NFL season. And it all starts Monday when Rodgers joins the team on the field for OTA practices.
This is all a good thing.
AARON RODGERS’ CHANCES OF RETURNING TO STEELERS ‘INCREASE’ WITH MIKE MCCARTHY’S HIRE: REPORT
That’s a good thing for the Steelers, who don’t have a viable starting quarterback with enough experience and success to make them a contender.
That’s a good thing for Rodgers, who, as Hollywood scriptwriters predicted, at least has a chance to rise to the top once again.
That’s good for the NFL, too, because it adds another fun story and still a good player to the 2026 season.
STEELERS BEGINS THE NEW ERA OF COACHING; MIKE MCCARTHY-AARON RODGERS UNION SPEECH BUILDINGS
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 4, 2026. (GETTY)
Returning to the Steelers will reunite Rodgers with coach Mike McCarthy, who coached him in Green Bay with whom he won the Super Bowl in February 2011. And while Rodgers may not be that much of a veteran anymore, he’s still transforming from a club with a quarterback vacancy into a solid playoff-caliber operation.
The Steelers believe they already have the infrastructure in which Rodgers has traditionally thrived: a respected head coach, physical defense, a stable organization and a fan base that embraces hard-nosed football. What was missing when looking at the Steelers’ 2026 prospects was Rodgers.
So Rodgers gets another shot at writing his legacy. His time with the Jets was defined more by injury, disappointment and unmet expectations than by revival. Joining the Steelers last season led to inconsistency and a first-round elimination from the playoffs.
THE RAVENS’ SEASON ENDED IN DISAPPOINTMENT AS A MISSED FIELD GOAL GIVEN THE STEELERS THE FINAL PLAY-OFF SPOT.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
The AFC North race is once again becoming one of the league’s leading weekly stories. The Ravens, Bengals and now Steelers all have legitimate quarterback play that will lead them to a division title. Sorry Cleveland Browns, you’re in fourth place in the four-team race on this front.
The NFL league office undoubtedly welcomes this news.
It released its 2026 calendar on Thursday. Even though league officials said they weren’t sure one way or the other whether Rodgers would return, they gave the Steelers four prime-time games.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
This would mean nothing if Rodgers wasn’t on the team.
It makes sense now.
FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO
