After months of noncommitment, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally reunited for the 2026 season. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback will return for his 22nd season on a one-year contract estimated to be worth up to $25 million, according to ESPN.Â
Without incentives, Rodgers' base salary is expected to be $22-23 million. Finalizing a deal surely comes as a relief to the Steelers fans kept in QB-less limbo for months. It's also a lot of money for a 42-year-old QB quite literally on his last NFL legs.Â
That three-year, $67.5 million deal the Dolphins gave Malik Willis, another ex-Green Bay passer? It looks like even more of a steal compared to the payday Pittsburgh just granted Rodgers.
Steelers shelled out for shell-like Rodgers while Miami made value bet on Willis
Leave it to ESPN's Ben Solak to sum up Rodgers' 2025 campaign, during which he ranked 33rd out of 38 QBs in dropback success rate. In Solak's words: "Aaron Rodgers was very, very bad last season."
By QBR, Rodgers ranked 23rd among 28 qualified quarterbacks. Yards per play, among QBs with at least 100 pass attempts? 27th, at an average of 6.7 yards. Rodgers barely averaged 10 yards per completion. At this stage in his career, he is a dink-and-dunk specialist averse to holding the ball longer than 2.5 seconds, planted in the pocket like a rusty bench bolted into concrete.Â
This is not the Rodgers with whom new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy won a Super Bowl in Green Bay.Â
Meanwhile, Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins get Willis at roughly the same annual value - for slightly less, in fact. While he started just three games for the Packers over the last two seasons, don't let his lack of proven experience fool you. When Willis took the field, he gave defenses all they could handle.
His numbers in Green Bay: 70-89 passing for 972 yards and six touchdowns to zero interceptions, with a 134.6 passer rating. An explosive threat with his legs, Willis rushed for 261 yards and three TDs on better than six yards per carry. There is a reason he was among the league's most coveted free agents this offseason.
31 of 32 teams would tell you they'd rather have Willis next season. In Pittsburgh, Rodgers had his seat reserved. If he returned for one last dance, it was always going to be with the Steelers.Â
Awaiting his Decision left the organization without a palatable backup plan. McCarthy's enthusiasm notwithstanding, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar aren't starting-caliber options. Meanwhile, Miami got a bargain in Willis. That's one backup quarterback who has proven without a doubt that he deserves a shot to start.Â
Don't be surprised when that Rodgers contract ages like a rusty can next to the Dolphins' diamond in the rough.Â
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