Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Plans to retire after 2026
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Rodgers said Wednesday that 2026 will be his final NFL season, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Rodgers signed with the Steelers on Monday -- the first day of OTAs. He made the decision to play another season in late April or early May, after the NFL Draft, and was then in Pittsburgh for a couple of weeks before officially signing his one-year contract. He'll turn 43 late in the 2026 season, and there'd be no guarantee of a starting job in 2027 even if he wanted one. Rodgers also mentioned that he anticipated retiring once Mike Tomlin was gone, only to reconsider when the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' head coach from 2006 to 2018 in Green Bay. The offense could look much different from last year's, with the Steelers adding WRs Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard to give a better three-wide look.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Makes deal with Steelers official
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Rodgers officially signed a one-year contract with the Steelers on Monday.
Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal heading into his 22nd NFL campaign. The 42-year-old quarterback is participating Monday on the first day of the team's OTAs. Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and a 24:7 TD:INT while posting a 10-6 record in 16 regular-season starts for the Steelers in 2025. In addition to replacing head coach Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy, the Steelers bolstered their wide receiver room in the offseason by trading for Michael Pittman and drafting Germie Bernard in the second round.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Slated to return to Pittsburgh
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Rodgers and the Steelers are expected to agree on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The deal will be worth up to $25 million, according to Schefter.
Rodgers has been linked to a return to Pittsburgh throughout the offseason, and the Steelers emphasized their desire to bring the veteran QB back when they placed a right-of-first-refusal UFA tender on him in late April. Rather than sign that tender, Rodgers will return on a freshly negotiated one-year deal. He's slated to serve as the team's starting QB for a second straight campaign after leading Pittsburgh to the playoffs last season and throwing for 3,322 yards with a 24:7 TD:INT while completing 65.7 percent of his pass attempts over 16 regular-season games.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Discussing new deal with Pittsburgh
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Rodgers is set to meet with Steelers officials in Pittsburgh this weekend as he looks to reach agreement on a deal to return to the team in 2026, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Per 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh, Rodgers is expected to sign with the Steelers over the weekend, but Rapoport relays that no deal has been finalized. In late April, Pittsburgh placed an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers, but since signing the tender would put the quarterback under contract for approximately $15 million in 2026, it's likely just a placeholder until he and the Steelers can work out a deal with more favorable financial terms. Applying the tender to Rodgers would also entitle the Steelers to a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere prior to July 22, though at this stage of the offseason, the 42-year-old isn't believed to have any serious suitors other than Pittsburgh. Until Rodgers puts pen to paper on a new deal, veteran Mason Rudolph will be the most experienced member of a Steelers quarterback room that includes 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and rookie third-round pick Drew Allar (ankle).
The Steelers assigned Rodgers the right-of-first-refusal UFA tender Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Rodgers reportedly had not notified Pittsburgh of his plans for the 2026 season ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, in which the team added Drew Allar (ankle) in the third round to join Mason Rudolph and Will Howard in the quarterback room. The right-of-first-refusal tender means the Steelers will receive exclusive negotiation rights with Rodgers if he doesn't sign anywhere by July 22, per Schefter, or the start of the summer's first training camp if that date is earlier. Before that date, Rodgers remains free to sign with another team, though Pittsburgh would have the right of first refusal, and by all appearances the 42-year-old veteran intends to stick with the Steelers if he plays another season. Rodgers' tender would provide a 10 percent raise on the one-year, $13.65 million contract he played under in 2025.
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Aaron Rodgers: Could make decision before draft
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Rodgers is expected to let the Steelers know by the NFL Draft what his plans are for the coming season, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
For now, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the signal-callers the Steelers have under contract. If Rodgers does elect to continue his playing career with the team, he'll be reunited with Mike McCarthy, who coached him for 13 years while the two were with the Packers. The 42-year-old QB threw for 3,322 yards with a 24:7 TD:INT in 16 regular-season games with Pittsburgh in 2025, and since then the team has acquired Michael Pittman from the Colts, bolstering a WR corps that was led by DK Metcalf last season.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Wanted back by Steelers
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New Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday the team would "definitely" want Rodgers back if he decides to play in the 2026 season, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
After Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers' head coach in mid-January, it was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Rodgers was unlikely to re-up with the team after playing out 2025 on a one-year contract. A reunion with McCarthy might make the 42-year-old quarterback reconsider, however, as the two won Super Bowl XLV together with Green Bay back in 2011 -- coincidentally, a 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh. If he doesn't return to the Steelers, Rodgers will most likely retire.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Difficult night in playoff loss
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Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also committed two fumbles, losing one.
If this was indeed Rodgers' NFL swan song, the Texans did plenty to encourage him to hang up the cleats thanks to a relentless defense that sacked him four times. Rodgers had DK Metcalf back at his disposal following the latter's completion of a two-game suspension, but outside of a pair of solid gains, the duo and the rest of the Steelers offense managed precious little against Houston's elite unit. Both of Rodgers' fourth-quarter turnovers -- a fumble on a strip sack and a interception on what may have been his final career pass attempt -- were returned for touchdowns as well. He did put together a solid regular season, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards with a 24:7 TD:INT and adding 61 rushing yards and an additional score on the ground over 16 games while playing out a one-year deal. The future Hall of Famer will presumably take some time to contemplate his future this offseason before deciding whether he'd like to continue his playing career.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Earns playoff berth on SNF
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Rodgers completed 31 of 47 pass attempts for 294 yards and a touchdown while gaining 20 yards on his only carry in Sunday's 26-24 victory over the Ravens.
Rodgers was in vintage form on Sunday Night Football as he fought for the right to represent the AFC North in the postseason. The 41-year-old turned back the clock with the campaign on the line to throw for a season-high 294 yards while earning a critical victory for Pittsburgh. Rodgers was plenty useful at various points of the schedule, but his overall production (3,322 yards, 24 TDs, seven INT) in 2025 fell short of the volume he produced during his prime, or even from his last year with the Jets. The future Hall of Famer will be making the 12th playoff appearance of his career in his first season with the Steelers when Rodgers faces the Texans next Monday in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: QBs to Sit
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Rodgers didn't have DK Metcalf (suspended) in Week 17 at Cleveland, and it showed with just 7.3 Fantasy points. Metcalf is still out in Week 18 against Baltimore, and you can't trust Rodgers in the majority of leagues in this matchup. He had a solid game against the Ravens in Week 14 with 23.5 Fantasy points, and Baltimore has allowed four of the past five opposing quarterbacks to score at least 23.2 points. But without Metcalf, the Steelers don't have enough weapons in the passing game to help Rodgers succeed.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Struggles against Cleveland
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Rodgers completed 21 of 39 passes for 168 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns. He added one rush for six yards.
Rodgers was without both DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin (hamstring) for the entire game, and Darnell Washington (arm) exited early on. That led to a conservative game plan and out-of-sync offense, with the end result being Rodgers averaging only 4.3 yards per attempt. He also accounted for 58 of his yards on Pittsburgh's final drive with long completions to Pat Freiermuth and Scotty Miller. This performance halted some positive momentum that Rodgers had built with recent performances, marking his first game without a touchdown and his lowest yardage total since Week 13. He'll now prepare for a division-deciding matchup against the Ravens in Week 18.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Sleeper QBs
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Rodgers has scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points in two games in a row against Baltimore and Miami, and he could have another solid outing in Week 16 at Detroit. The Lions are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and four guys in a row have scored at least 20.4 Fantasy points. It's risky to trust Rodgers, but this game could be a shootout for him and Jared Goff. I like Rodgers as a low-end starting option in deeper leagues given the matchup.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Gets more aggressive
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Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added two rushes for zero yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers entered the game with one of the lowest average intended air yards in the league, but he took plenty of downfield shots in Sunday's divisional matchup. He was particularly effective targeting DK Metcalf, as the duo connected for long gains of 52 and 41 yards. Rodgers also accounted for multiple scores for the first time since Week 8, beginning with a one-yard touchdown scamper and later on a 38-yard pass -- most of which came after the catch -- to Jaylen Warren. It's difficult to trust the Steelers' passing offense moving forward, but Rodgers could keep the momentum going with a favorable Week 15 matchup against Miami.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Sits out practice Wednesday
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Rodgers (left wrist) didn't practice Wednesday.
Rodgers' presence on the Steelers' Week 14 injury report isn't surprising, as coach Mike Tomlin indicated during his weekly press conference that the QB would be among those whose practice participation would be limited to start the week. That said, Rodgers noted after Wednesday's practice he felt like his non-throwing wrist was healing. "I didn't come out of the game any worse for wear," said Rodgers, who started this past Sunday against the Bills, missing only a series when he was hit in the nose and bleeding. Chances are, Rodgers will return to practice Thursday, as he did last week when he logged a full session.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Practices in full Thursday
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Rodgers (wrist) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Rodgers' unrestricted practice level effectively confirms Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report that the veteran quarterback is on track to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the Bills. Rodgers missed Week 12 due to a non-displaced fracture to his non-throwing wrist, and per Saunders still wore a cast at Thursday's practice. It's possible he'll still have the wrist stabilized during Sunday's game. Top wideout DK Metcalf (ankle) also practiced in full Thursday.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Back at practice
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Rodgers (left wrist) returned to practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Per Pryor, Rodgers' left wrist was stabilized, but after missing Wednesday's session, the QB's return to the field a day later is nonetheless a positive development ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills. The Steelers' upcoming injury report is slated to clarify Rodgers' official participation level Thursday.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Should resume practicing Thursday
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Rodgers (wrist) didn't practice Wednesday but plans to participate Thursday and Friday, Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reports.
It sounds like his activity level Friday will depend on how he feels during/after Thursday's session. Rodgers hopes to return for Sunday's game against Buffalo after missing a Week 12 loss at Chicago, but he acknowledged Wednesday that he still wasn't ready to take snaps under center, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. He's wearing a cast to protect his broken left wrist, with Mason Rudolph taking first-team practice reps in the meantime. Comments from Rodgers suggest he won't need clearance from a doctor and is fine to manage the pain, but functionality clearly remains a concern when it comes to taking snaps and using his non-throwing hand to grip the ball.
Coach Mike Tomlin noted after Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears that he anticipates Rodgers (left wrist) being ready to play next weekend against the Bills, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Tomlin noted in a pregame interview Sunday that Rodgers -- who has been dealing with a fractured left wrist -- "fought his tail off" to play against Chicago, while adding that it was the "prudent" decision to sit the veteran quarterback. In his Week 12 absence, Mason Rudolph started for the Steelers, with Will Howard backing him up.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Status for Sunday still uncertain
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Rodgers (wrist), who is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against Chicago, "has been pushing to play," but Steelers doctors have been "cautious and guarded" about clearing the veteran quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Schefter notes that if Rodgers is left to decide his status, he'll play, but adds that Pittsburgh hasn't given any hints about the outcome of the decision. Rodgers is dealing with a minor fracture to his left (non-throwing) wrist that isn't expected to require surgery, and he has suggested that the determination about his ability to suit up Sunday hinges on whether the issue will inhibit him from protecting himself. Fantasy managers may not know Rodgers' playing status until the Steelers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, and at this point, his likelihood of playing seems to be about 50/50. Mason Rudolph would draw the start in Chicago if Rodgers is unable to play through the injury.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers: Questionable after limited practice
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Coach Mike Tomlin noted Friday that Rodgers (left wrist) was limited at practice Friday and will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Earlier this week, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com relayed that Rodgers' Week 12 status is, in the words of the QB, "a safety thing" rather than a pain-management issue. In the wake of back-to-back practices, Rodgers could end up being a game-day call, but fortunately for those considering him in fantasy lineups this week, the Steelers kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If he's unavailable versus Chicago, however, Mason Rudolph would be in line to draw the start in his place.
