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Steelers Owner: Rodgers' 2026 Decision Expected Within Weeks

4/30/2026

Summary

Rodgers' Future

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said a decision on Aaron Rodgers' 2026 status will come in the next few weeks.
He said the team is in regular contact with Rodgers, who updates the Steelers on his plans.
The Steelers placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers to protect a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere.
He added the club does not expect Rodgers to leave, though the tender provides that protection.

Summary

Rodgers Tender

The tender raises Aaron Rodgers' 2026 salary by 10% to $15 million and lets the Pittsburgh Steelers match any external offer and receive a late-third-round pick if he signs elsewhere before July 22.
Exclusive negotiating rights begin on July 22 or the first training-camp day, whichever is later.
The tender, which would make Rodgers the NFL’s oldest player at 42 in 2026, blocks his play after November 17 without an extreme hardship exemption.

Summary

Rodgers OTA Deadline

The Steelers’ 2026 mandatory minicamp runs June 2-4, with OTA sessions on June 8, 9, 11 and 12.
Aaron Rodgers must attend all eight OTA workouts if he signs by the May 18 start of voluntary OTAs.
Mark Kaboly reported that Rodgers was told about the tender but did not care, with insiders saying signing before May 18 would keep him in plans to end the 10-year playoff drought.

Summary

Rodgers Tendered

Steelers filed a tender for Aaron Rodgers by the April 22 deadline, meeting the trigger for the compensatory-pick formula.
Mike Florio said the tender may be a tactic to pressure Rodgers to leave.
Gerry Dulac called the tender a formality to protect a compensatory pick, indicating no intent to retain Rodgers.
Analysts noted the tender uses an insurance tool previously applied to J.K. Dobbins and Elijah Moore, highlighting its unusual use on a quarterback.

History

Historical Context

In March 1993 the NFL introduced its modern free-agency system, ending Plan B and establishing compensatory draft picks—a change that shaped roster building for decades. The Steelers’ 2024 tender to quarterback Aaron Rodgers invokes that same compensatory-pick rule, echoing the 1993 settlement that also gave teams like the Dallas Cowboys a third-round pick. The 1993 season was the league’s 74th regular season.

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Rodgers' Future

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said a decision on Aaron Rodgers' 2026 status will come in the next few weeks.
He said the team is in regular contact with Rodgers, who updates the Steelers on his plans.
The Steelers placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers to protect a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere.
He added the club does not expect Rodgers to leave, though the tender provides that protection.

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