Aaron Rodgers has officially completed his signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after passing the team’s physical examination. The agreement reached between Rodgers and the Steelers is a one-year contract worth up to $19.5 million. The contract guarantees $10 million upfront, with the total potential value rising to $13.6 million in base commitments and increasing further to $19.5 million if specific performance-based incentives are met, according to reports from NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
The Steelers confirmed Rodgers’ addition to their roster shortly after concluding the contract, which comes on the eve of his first practice at Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp. The team announced that Rodgers is scheduled to address the media on Tuesday, following the conclusion of their initial minicamp session. In addition, the Steelers revealed that Rodgers will wear jersey number 8—continuing the number he sported during his two most recent seasons with the New York Jets.
This move completes a sequence of developments that unfolded over the past week. The saga began on Thursday when Rapoport, Pelissero, and NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo broke news that Rodgers confirmed his intention to travel to Pittsburgh to finalize a deal. The Steelers subsequently acknowledged on Friday that the parties had reached an agreement in principle, subject to Rodgers clearing a physical evaluation. The final step was taken on Saturday when Rodgers officially passed the physical and signed the contract, closing what’s been a drawn-out free agency process.
Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh not only adds a veteran presence to the Steelers’ quarterback room but also marks the end of a period of uncertainty and anticipation for both the player and his new team. With over 62,900 career passing yards and 503 touchdowns, the four-time NFL MVP is one of the most decorated and accomplished quarterbacks in league history, and this signing represents his third NFL destination. His first franchise was the Green Bay Packers, where he spent the majority of his career and achieved great success. Following that, he had a stint with the New York Jets before entering free agency.
Despite the conventional wisdom that veteran quarterbacks find new homes early in free agency, Rodgers opted to wait until later in the process. In contrast to many of his free-agent peers who signed with new teams quickly in early March, Rodgers took his time. He spent several weeks deliberating over whether to return for a 21st NFL season. Meanwhile, the broader landscape of league transactions was evolving around him, with teams like the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns wrapping up their quarterback situations through free agency moves or the NFL Draft.
The Steelers, for their part, adopted a patient, measured strategy regarding their quarterback depth chart. They did not make any aggressive quarterback moves in the draft or through free agency, instead relying on the return of Mason Rudolph and the recent selection of Will Howard in the sixth round of the draft. This approach left a spot open for Rodgers, whose decision would ultimately determine the franchise’s direction at the position.
Throughout this period of speculation, Rodgers has remained in the public eye, but mostly in a playful, sometimes teasing manner. He made a few media appearances in which he danced around the topic of his future. Notable among his remarks was a lighthearted moment during an appearance where he joked that—while he wouldn’t lace up for the Chicago Bears—he might consider playing for “a team that’s coming to Chicago.” In hindsight, many took that as a veiled reference to the Steelers, a franchise scheduled for a matchup against the Bears in the upcoming season.
Now that the ink is dry and Rodgers is under contract in Pittsburgh, the quarterback will finally have the opportunity to explain his decision in detail. He’s expected to address the media at a press conference on Tuesday following the team’s minicamp practice session. There, he’ll likely discuss why he chose the Steelers, how he sees himself fitting into their offensive scheme, and what he hopes to accomplish during his time in Pittsburgh.
In summary, the signing represents a significant move both for Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For Rodgers, it’s a chance to extend an illustrious career and chase further achievements in a new setting. For the Steelers, it brings a seasoned, high-profile quarterback into their locker room, signaling their intent to contend and compete at a higher level in the upcoming season. With the formalities finalized, all eyes now turn to minicamp—and Tuesday’s press conference—to glean further insight into this new chapter for Rodgers and the Steelers.
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