Aaron Rodgers Rumored To Return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 Season

Summary

• NFL sources reports that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to visit Pittsburgh this weekend for further contract discussions
• The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer played for the Steelers in 2025, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns to help lead the team to an AFC North title
• The Steelers recently hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach following Mike Tomlin’s resignation, reuniting Rodgers with his former Green Bay Packers coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offseason waiting game is finally nearing an end. After months of speculation regarding his NFL future, 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers is reportedly planning to suit up for his 22nd professional season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the future Hall of Famer is expected to visit Pittsburgh this weekend, and while caution remains until pen meets paper, his intention is to play for the Steelers in 2026.

Rodgers’ potential return marks a massive sigh of relief for the Steelers organization and its fanbase. The veteran quarterback arrived in Pittsburgh in 2025 on a one-year deal and delivered an impressive campaign, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns to help secure the AFC North title. However, the unexpected resignation of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin in January initially threw Rodgers’ future with the team into serious doubt.

The narrative quickly shifted when the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to take over the helm. The move pairs Rodgers back up with his former Green Bay Packers head coach, the same man he won Super Bowl XLV alongside following the 2010 season. That deep familiarity appears to be a major driving force behind Rodgers’ desire to stay in the Steel City and operate under McCarthy’s system once again.

Financially, the groundwork for a deal has been in place for weeks. Last month, Pittsburgh placed a rare right-of-first-refusal tender on the quarterback. The maneuver guaranteed that Rodgers could accept a 10 percent raise from his $13.65 million salary in 2025—putting his base pay around $15 million—while also allowing the Steelers to match any outside free-agent offers. With reports indicating Rodgers is unlikely to play for that baseline $15 million figure, the weekend visit will serve as a crucial window for the front office to negotiate a more lucrative, definitive contract before training camp.

As the pieces fall into place, Rodgers is poised to continue climbing the NFL’s all-time leaderboards while donning the black and gold. Reunited with McCarthy and operating with a competitive roster, the seasoned quarterback clearly has his eyes set on another deep postseason run. Now, Steelers fans just have to wait for the ink to dry.