Last-Minute Deal: Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers Finalise Contract as QB Travels in Secret

Aaron Rodgers latest excursion to Pittsburgh did end with the future Hall of Fame quarterback having conversations with team officials and agreeing to terms on a new contract with the team, though once again much of his time spent in Western Pennsylvania was not at the team facility.

That is about to change with Steelers Organized Team Activity practices beginning and Rodgers now back on a one-year deal. 

As of Saturday morning, the Steelers coaches were dividing up practices reps to be split between 2024 draft pick Will Howard, who team brass is quite high on, long-term backup Mason Rudolph and 2025 draft pick Drew Allard. 

They still had not received work Rodgers was definitely playing and had received no word from his or his representatives that he was definitely returning.

As word began to circulate that Rodgers was back in Pittsburgh for the second straight weekend, he had no contact with team officials the previous trip, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, it started to become clear that he was intent on returning and the club and Rodgers’s agent quickly hashed out a deal that provided a raise on last season and generally compensated him as the pedestrian (at best) NFL starting quarterback that he is.

In the end, Rodgers got his wish, keeping speculation alive for months around his future and drawing attention to his next move. However, league sources indicate there was limited interest from other NFL teams. Ultimately, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the only franchise willing to wait until late May for him to decide on his 2026 status.

Did The Steelers Have a Hunch?

Internally, the Steelers figured all along that Rodgers would be back for one more paycheck, though the longer this process dragged out the more ownership felt the need to make some public statements to try to check it from lingering into final mini camp as it did a year ago. 

Has Rodgers not reported, sources said the Steelers were going to do what they could to help Howard prepare for starting reps.

While Rodgers had an ugly fallout in Green Bay with then head coach Mike McCarthy, who is now entering his first season in tat role in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are very comfortable with that dynamic and McCarthy was always on board with allowing the center of attention to bathe in months of intrigue (faux intrigue) to eventually come back to the Steelers after reaching the playoffs with them a year ago.

Given his age, 42, questions about the Steelers roster and a tough schedule, getting back there may be a stretch.