If Aaron Rodgers plays another season, the Steelers want to make sure it’s with Pittsburgh.
The franchise placed the rare right-of-first-refusal tender on unrestricted free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, ESPN reported on Tuesday morning.
The move means Rodgers can accept a 10-percent raise from last year’s salary ($13.65 million), pushing the four-time NFL MVP to approximately $15 million in base pay. The Steelers guarantee the raise and in return are granted the right to match any offer sheet Rodgers can sign with another team as a free agent.
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 Rodgers 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 following Mike Tomlin’s resignation in January. Rodgers played under McCarthy during his time with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers, 42, 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.
