Aaron Rodgers Poised for Another Season in Pittsburgh

It appears Aaron Rodgers is on track to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers for another NFL season. The free agent quarterback is scheduled to meet with the team on Friday, and Ian Rapoport noted that this visit is a significant step toward him playing for the Steelers next year.

That said, it’s important to note that the deal isn’t finalized yet.

In an unusual move, the Steelers extended an unrestricted free agent tender to Rodgers back in April, as highlighted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This gives the Steelers the right to match any offers he receives from other teams. If he signs, Rodgers would see about a 10% salary increase from last year, bringing his earnings to around $15 million for the season.

However, there’s a catch; Rodgers can only sign with Pittsburgh once training camp kicks off in mid-July.

Initially, there were some doubts about how the tender would be received by Rodgers. But reports indicate that the move was seen as more of a placeholder. At 42, it’s likely he expects more than $15 million, and negotiations will be necessary to finalize anything.

The Steelers, who have been waiting for his decision since their playoff loss to the Texans, seem to have anticipated this situation. Interestingly, they did not acquire another veteran quarterback during the recent free agency period.

By this point, it was commonly believed Rodgers would come to a conclusion regarding his future before the NFL Draft. His choice has, in the past, taken some time, though.

Last season, under the guidance of coach Mike Tomlin—who recently stepped down after 19 years—Rodgers recorded 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. Tomlin has expressed optimism that the four-time MVP will return to Pittsburgh.

If a deal goes through, Rodgers will reunite with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, with whom he won a Super Bowl during his time in Green Bay.