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Aaron Rodgers signs one-year $25 M deal, joins Steelers

5/19/2026

Summary

Rodgers Signs with Steelers

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year, up-to-$25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 18, 2026.
He reported to the Steelers’ OTA that day and threw five passes, two to Michael Pittman Jr. and one each to DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and Pat Freiermuth.
Veteran kicker Chris Boswell said Rodgers’ return “can only be good” for the team.
With 527 career touchdown passes, Rodgers needs 13 more to pass Peyton Manning for third all-time.

Summary

Steelers Revamp Squad

The Steelers traded for 1,000-yard receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts in the 2026 offseason.
They signed running back Rico Dowdle, added safeties Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage, cornerback Jamel Dean, lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, and kept tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
Sports Illustrated ranked the Steelers’ 2026 schedule as the ninth-hardest strength, while bookmakers set Super Bowl LXI odds at +8000 with an 8.5 win-total over/under.

History

Historical Context

After missing the playoffs in 2003, the Steelers used the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft to select quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, their first first-round QB since Terry Bradshaw in 1970. Roethlisberger’s rookie surge helped Pittsburgh finish 15-1 and win the 2005-06 Super Bowl, establishing a pattern of seeking franchise quarterbacks that the 2026 pursuit of a veteran signal-caller echoes.

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Rodgers Signs with Steelers

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year, up-to-$25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 18, 2026.
He reported to the Steelers’ OTA that day and threw five passes, two to Michael Pittman Jr. and one each to DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and Pat Freiermuth.
Veteran kicker Chris Boswell said Rodgers’ return “can only be good” for the team.
With 527 career touchdown passes, Rodgers needs 13 more to pass Peyton Manning for third all-time.

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