Well, we finally know Aaron Rodgers’ intentions for 2026, and he’ll be returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A reported one-year deal with $22 million guaranteed and worth up to $25 million.
But the big question is why the Steelers want Rodgers, who is 42 years old, back, when there was a chance to truly find out what the franchise has in its quarterback room a year ahead of a draft that reportedly has a handful of stud prospects.
Well, CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo thinks Pittsburgh made the right decision.
“Skepticism is understandable, but Rodgers showed enough last season to justify Pittsburgh’s continued belief,” DeArdo wrote. “Bringing Rodgers back for another year isn’t pushing off the inevitable or a desperate attempt to win a playoff game.
“It’s a sound, logical decision from a franchise that clearly believes in its players, its chances of winning in 2026, and its own ability to identify, mold and develop its eventual long-term quarterback, whoever that may be.”
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Is Rodgers return the right move?
Time will tell, and what the Steelers’ view of a successful season is will also play a role.
If the franchise believes Rodgers can lead this team to a Super Bowl, and he does, then it will turn out to be the right move. But if the franchise is happy to see what they have in Rodgers with the offseason additions, while Will Howard and Drew Allar learn in the background, then that might be fine, too.
But in the long term, that is the question. Is this the right move long-term?
Will we look back on this in five years’ time and think the Steelers held on too long? Or will we look back and see that it was a masterstroke to give Rodgers another season?
Time will tell.