The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured their veteran quarterback for another season, with Aaron Rodgers committing to a one-year contract to remain with the team.
Sources familiar with the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the four-time NFL MVP has ended his lengthy deliberation process and will return to Pittsburgh. The sources requested anonymity as the team has not yet made an official announcement.
At 42 years old, Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North championship during his first season with the franchise, recording 24 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions. The veteran quarterback appeared to connect with Pittsburgh’s rich football tradition, similar to his earlier years in Green Bay, and will now enter what could be his 22nd and potentially final NFL season.
The signing brings Rodgers back together with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who was brought in to helm the Steelers in January after Mike Tomlin concluded his 19-season tenure with the organization.
The quarterback and coach previously collaborated for 13 seasons in Green Bay, where Rodgers developed into one of football’s premier talents after taking over as the starter in 2008. During their time together, Green Bay captured its fourth Super Bowl championship while Rodgers claimed two of his four MVP awards under McCarthy’s offensive system.
The partnership will continue in Pittsburgh, though both men find themselves in different stages of their careers. This season likely represents Rodgers’ final chapter, while the 64-year-old McCarthy appears to be concluding his coaching career close to the Greenfield neighborhood where he was raised.
Pittsburgh had expressed interest in bringing Rodgers back, though several self-imposed deadlines passed without a signature – including the March start of free agency and last month’s NFL draft held in Pittsburgh.
The organization took the uncommon step of placing an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers, a procedural move that provided some protection if the quarterback had chosen to join another team before training camp begins in late July.
Whether other teams pursued Rodgers remains unclear, though the point is now moot. Last year, he delayed his decision until early June before joining Pittsburgh, then spent the following months fully embracing his role and earning praise from teammates for his commitment and leadership qualities.
Rodgers returns to a quarterback group that has grown during his decision-making period. The Steelers selected Penn State’s Drew Allar in the third round of the draft, joining veteran Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, who was chosen in the sixth round of 2025.
Both Howard and Allar are viewed as developmental prospects, and Rodgers’ return allows them time to progress while learning from a quarterback who spent three seasons as Brett Favre’s understudy in Green Bay before becoming the starter.
Pittsburgh has also bolstered its receiving corps this offseason, acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. through trade and drafting Germie Bernard. These additions could give Rodgers additional deep-threat options after opposing defenses focused heavily on stopping DK Metcalf last season.
While Rodgers’ return seemed more a matter of timing than uncertainty, questions remain about when he’ll join team activities. Pittsburgh’s organized team activities begin May 18.
Although OTAs are technically voluntary, they typically carry greater importance with new coaching staffs. However, Rodgers’ experience with McCarthy’s offensive system and Pittsburgh’s desire to give Allar and Howard extensive practice repetitions could allow Rodgers to remain at his Malibu, California home until mandatory minicamp runs from June 2-4.
Regardless of his spring participation, Rodgers will be with the starters when the team gathers for training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe in late July, with the goal of guiding the Steelers back to the playoffs and pursuing the franchise’s first postseason victory in ten years.
