Aaron Rodgers isn’t a Pittsburgh Steeler at the moment, but he sure feels like one.
After Kirk Cousins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, what we’ve felt confident about for a while became even more likely: Rodgers is the last remaining viable quarterback on the market for Pittsburgh, unless the franchise unexpectedly turns to Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or a rookie Week 1.
But even assuming Rodgers is set to return in 2026, a few questions remain. When exactly will he re-sign? And how
much will his contract be worth?
Last season, Rodgers signed just a one-year, $13.65 million deal — a far cry from the two-year, $75 million deal he had previously signed with the New York Jets in 2023.
After passing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, as well as leading his team to the playoffs, Rodgers certainly outplayed what he made during his first year in Pittsburgh, even if he did put up slightly worse statistics than in his final year as a Jet.
Per Spotrac, Rodgers’ yearly market value rests at just $10.6 million. But if you look at the listed “comparable players,” it includes Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett, and Davis Mills — all backups.
Spotrac also references Daniel Jones’ one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts before 2025. However, Jones is now averaging $44 million per year in his latest extension.
A more accurate comparison might include Malik Willis’ recent $22.5 million per year — which is an acceptable starting quarterback salary but still a tier below recent Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold’s $33.5 million average. Cousins’ aforementioned deal, that comes down to a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $20 million, is also in the ballpark, although he’s near-guaranteed to be a backup in Las Vegas in 2026.
Ultimately, that means even in his age 42 season, Rodgers has the leverage to ask for over $20 million per year entering 2026.
But he clearly took a pay cut in 2025 to play for the Steelers. Even though the league clearly wasn’t high on Rodgers following a disappointing stint for the Jets, he still could’ve demanded far more on the open market than just $13.65 million.
However, Rodgers just didn’t seem to be worried about where his contract ranks at his position. His legacy is secure and per Over the Cap, he has made nearly $395 million in career earnings. Unless there’s a sudden change of heart, I wouldn’t expect Rodgers to play contract hardball with what might be the lone NFL franchise still offering him a starting job.
Still, a raise should be due following Rodgers’ performance in 2025. Something in the $15 to $20 million range per year makes sense if and when he starts Year 2 in the Steel City.
