Aaron Rodgers Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers for 2026 Season
Aaron Rodgers will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season under a $22 million guaranteed deal, reuniting with former head coach Mike McCarthy, amid skepticism about the team's championship prospects.
Aaron Rodgers will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season, ESPN reported Saturday. The 42-year-old quarterback's deal includes $22 million in guaranteed money with the potential to earn up to $3 million more in incentives, according to NFL Network.
The move reunites Rodgers with Mike McCarthy, his former head coach from their 13 seasons together with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers will enter his 22nd NFL season after spending the offseason weighing retirement.
Year One in Pittsburgh Delivered Results
Rodgers' first season with the Steelers proved productive. He threw 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to an AFC North title. The team now aims to defend that division crown in 2026.
Rodgers will share quarterback responsibilities with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and rookie Drew Allar from Penn State.
Skeptics Question Pittsburgh's Ceiling
Not everyone believes the Steelers can repeat as division champions. Fox Sports analyst Ralph Vacchiano predicted an 8-9 record for Pittsburgh in 2026, arguing the "Steelers' season is riding on the old shoulders of Aaron Rodgers."
Whoever their quarterback is will immediately have a tougher challenge if Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow can stay healthy, making the AFC North games much more of a minefield. The Steelers also have to go on the road to New England and Philadelphia, and even their trip to Jacksonville won't be easy.
Vacchiano also dropped the Steelers to No. 25 in his latest power rankings, citing a brutal closing stretch: "Seven of their last nine games are against teams projected to win 9-11 games. Aaron Rodgers' 42-year-old body should be aching pretty good by then."
McCarthy's Endorsement
McCarthy had publicly championed Rodgers' return. Back in March, he called the reunion "a great story," noting his admiration for the quarterback at this stage of his career and life.
I don't know — and I would love to tell everybody about breaking news, but it's really cool to see Aaron at [age] 42. To see a young man at 22 and all of what he's been able to accomplish and where he's at in his personal life and trying to make this decision. I think he's in a really good place.
