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Steelers Re-Sign Rodgers for Final 2026, Backup Battle Brewing

5/23/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Rodgers Re-signs

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season, and he said it will be his final NFL year.
Mason Rudolph, Will Howard (2025 sixth-round pick) and Drew Allar (2026 third-round No. 76) will vie for the backup spot, with Rudolph posting an 8-5-1 record, 64.5% completions, 21 TDs and 13 INTs.
The team must cut or trade one of Rudolph, Howard or Allar before the season starts.

Summary

Rodgers Announces Retirement

Aaron Rodgers announced at the Steelers' OTAs that the 2026 season will be his final NFL year.
He will retire as the all-time leader in touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.3, 527-123) and fourth in career passing touchdowns with 527.
Rodgers said hiring former Packers coach Mike McCarthy convinced him to remain with Pittsburgh.
At 42, he will become the sixth quarterback ever to start a game at age 43 or older.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, 38-year-old quarterback John Elway retired after leading the Denver Broncos to a 14–2 season and a Super Bowl XXXIII victory, becoming the oldest Super Bowl MVP at the time. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 decision to re-sign 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers echoes that veteran-quarterback pattern, hoping a late-career star can boost morale and ticket sales as Elway’s farewell did.

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Rodgers Re-signs

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season, and he said it will be his final NFL year.
Mason Rudolph, Will Howard (2025 sixth-round pick) and Drew Allar (2026 third-round No. 76) will vie for the backup spot, with Rudolph posting an 8-5-1 record, 64.5% completions, 21 TDs and 13 INTs.
The team must cut or trade one of Rudolph, Howard or Allar before the season starts.

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