Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is visiting Pittsburgh on Friday and will “likely” play for the Steelers in 2026, NFL Network reported Thursday.
The report added that no deal is done and there is “always caution until things are signed,” but the 42-year-old free agent’s plan is to play for Pittsburgh.
Last month, the Steelers reportedly placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on Rodgers. The move means he can accept a 10% raise from last year’s salary ($13.65 million), pushing the four-time NFL MVP to approximately $15 million in base pay. Pittsburgh has the right to match any offer sheet he might sign with another team as a free agent.
Thursday’s report said it’s unlikely Rodgers would play for $15 million, putting pressure on the Steelers to work out a deal perhaps as early as this weekend.
The Steelers can gain exclusive negotiating rights with Rodgers if he does not sign by July 22, or the first day of NFL training camp.
If he signs with a new team before that date, he would be a potential compensatory free agent lost by the Steelers and a potential CFA gained by the new team, provided all other requirements are met under the Compensatory Draft System’s rules.
Pittsburgh hired a familiar face in Mike McCarthy as head coach after Mike Tomlin’s resignation in January. Rodgers played under McCarthy during his time with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers posted his 15th season with at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes with Pittsburgh in 2025.
He ranks fourth in NFL history in passing touchdowns (527) and fifth in passing yards (66,274). His career passer rating of 102.2 ranks No. 1 all-time as does his 1.4% interception percentage.
The 10-time Pro Bowl selection won Super Bowl XLV with Green Bay after the 2010 season. He owns a 163-93-1 record as a starter in the regular season with the Packers (2005-22), New York Jets (2023-24) and Steelers.
