Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has officially signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the upcoming season, pending a physical. The Steelers announced the agreement on Thursday, marking the end of months of speculation surrounding the future of the Super Bowl XLV champion.
Rodgers, who spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets, will fly to Pittsburgh to finalize the deal and begin practicing with the team next week as the Steelers prepare for their annual mandatory minicamp starting on Tuesday.
Rodgers’ Move to Pittsburgh Ends Speculation
The 41-year-old quarterback, a four-time NFL MVP, has been the subject of much speculation about his next move after being released by the Jets following two challenging seasons.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers informed the Steelers that he would be heading to Pittsburgh to complete the deal and prepare to join the team for practice.
Rodgers had previously expressed interest in playing for the Steelers, revealing that he had multiple discussions with Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin during the offseason.
In March, he participated in a throwing session with newly acquired Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, which only fueled rumors of a move to Pittsburgh. He also stated on The Pat McAfee Show in April, “I’m open to anything and attached to nothing.”
Rodgers’ Return to Pittsburgh Offers Hope for Steelers’ Quarterback Position
Rodgers’ arrival is a significant boost for the Steelers, who had been considering Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback. Rudolph, drafted by Pittsburgh in 2018, had spent six seasons with the Steelers before signing with the Tennessee Titans for the 2024 season.
He later re-signed with the Steelers on a two-year contract during the offseason.
Steelers fans are hopeful that Rodgers’ veteran leadership and experience will elevate the team. Terry Bradshaw, the legendary Steelers quarterback, however, isn’t entirely on board with the decision to bring Rodgers in for just one season.
Bradshaw shared his thoughts on 103.7 The Buzz’s Morning Mayhem in May, commenting, “What are you going to – bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California and go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there.” Bradshaw’s remarks appeared to reference Rodgers’ use of ayahuasca and his alternative beliefs.
Rodgers’ Eventful Time with the Jets
Rodgers’ tenure with the Jets, which began in 2023, came with high expectations. Fans were hopeful that his leadership could turn the Jets into Super Bowl contenders. However, just minutes into his debut at MetLife Stadium, disaster struck.
Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon after just four snaps, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Despite returning for the 2024 season, the Jets finished with a disappointing 5-12 record, failing to meet expectations.
Despite the team’s struggles, Rodgers showed that he could still play at a high level, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 games last season.
Interesting Week 1 Matchup: Steelers vs. Jets
In an intriguing twist, the Steelers will face the Jets in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium, where Rodgers could potentially face off against Pittsburgh’s former quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields, who served as the Steelers’ backup quarterback in the 2024-25 season, now plays for the New York Giants after Russell Wilson took over as the Steelers’ starter. This matchup could add more drama to an already exciting start to the season.
What’s Next for Rodgers and the Steelers?
Aaron Rodgers’ signing with the Steelers marks a fresh chapter in his legendary career. As Pittsburgh looks to solidify its quarterback position, Rodgers’ presence brings hope for a productive season.
With mandatory minicamp starting next week, all eyes will be on how quickly Rodgers can get acclimated to his new team. For the Steelers, the goal is clear: to take advantage of Rodgers’ experience and lead the team back to Super Bowl contention.
