Rodgers Cycle Ends with 1-Year Deal in Pittsburgh

One of the most captivating and longest-running storylines throughout this NFL offseason was the persistent back-and-forth involving Aaron Rodgers and the various teams vying for his services. With multiple franchises expressing strong interest in acquiring the multiple-time MVP, speculation ran rampant about when and where Rodgers would ultimately land. Now, that question has finally been answered: Rodgers has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing an end to months of uncertainty.

The seasoned quarterback signed a one-year contract worth $13.65 million after passing a physical at the Steelers' team facility on Saturday morning. The agreement includes $10 million guaranteed and has the potential to reach $19.5 million with incentives factored in. In addition to the signing announcement, the Steelers revealed that Rodgers will don the No. 8 jersey in Pittsburgh. This number choice is notable because Rodgers wore No. 8 during his brief tenure in New York, while he sported No. 12 during his storied 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. As a point of tradition, the Steelers typically refrain from issuing No. 12 out of respect for franchise legend Terry Bradshaw, who made the number iconic—though it has never been officially retired.

Rodgers' journey to Pittsburgh followed his release from the New York Jets in March, a move that came just one month after the Jets brought in new leadership with head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

After departing Green Bay, where he established a legacy crowned with a Super Bowl victory following the 2010 season, Rodgers joined the Jets in 2023. Unfortunately, he missed nearly his entire first season with New York due to a torn Achilles sustained in his debut game—a significant setback for any athlete, let alone a veteran quarterback. Although Rodgers returned to start every game the following season, his performance was inconsistent. He threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns—both ranking third in Jets’ single-season history—but also had 11 interceptions. His overall quarterback rating (QBR) stood at 48.1, placing him 25th out of 32 qualified NFL passers.

Now, as Rodgers embarks on this new chapter with Pittsburgh, much anticipation surrounds how the veteran leader will elevate the Steelers’ offense. It’s notable that the Steelers’ betting line to win the Super Bowl has not moved despite the addition of Rodgers. That said, I think it would be foolish to assume that even a 41-year-old Rodgers wouldn’t be a dramatic upgrade over Mason Rudolph and company. While I do not know what the future will hold for this year’s Steelers team, I do know that they are a better football team than they were prior to Rodgers’ addition—and that has to have fans and the organization hopeful, at the very least.