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Steelers Tender Aaron Rodgers $15 M, Retain First Refusal

4/28/2026

Summary

Steelers Tender Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, offering a 10 percent raise to $15 million for 2026.
The tender lets the Steelers match any offer before July 22, 2026 or training camp, and grants a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Rodgers earned $13.65 million in 2025; the raise lifts his 2026 cap charge to $15,015,000 as the team awaits his retirement decision.

Summary

Steelers Draft Allar

Steelers drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 quarterback group includes Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard, and rookie Allar with Aaron Rodgers.
Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ former Green Bay coach, succeeded Mike Tomlin after a 19-year run.
Owner Art Rooney III said Rodgers’ decision is expected soon, noting that the July 22 tender makes him ineligible after Week 10 (Nov. 17) if unsigned.

History

Historical Context

The NFL added the franchise tag in 1993, letting teams keep a free agent at 120% of his prior salary or the average of the five highest at the position; the Atlanta Falcons used it that year on Deion Sanders, paying $3.5 million. Today the Pittsburgh Steelers exercised a right-of-first-refusal tender on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a modern echo of that retention tool.

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Steelers Tender Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, offering a 10 percent raise to $15 million for 2026.
The tender lets the Steelers match any offer before July 22, 2026 or training camp, and grants a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Rodgers earned $13.65 million in 2025; the raise lifts his 2026 cap charge to $15,015,000 as the team awaits his retirement decision.

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