Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Wants a Contract Closer to $30 Million/Year with the Steelers

Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch claimed that Aaron Rodgers could ask for $30 million for the 2026 to comeback.

Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Wants a Contract Closer to $30 Million/Year with the Steelers

Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Aaron Rodgers is reportedly seeking a contract closer to $30 million per year with the Steelers.
  • He signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers after a disappointing tenure with the Jets.
  • Steelers owner Art Rooney expects to have clarity on Rodgers' future before the NFL draft.

As Aaron Rodgers capped off a disappointing two-year tenure with the New York Jets, during which the team won only five games, multiple analysts and former players cautioned management against signing a then 40-year-old quarterback. The Steelers ignored all the warnings and signed Rodgers.

Sources privy to the deal noted that Rodgers might demand a two-year extension worth $40 million a year. Rodgers settled on a one-year, $13.65 million contract, which includes $10 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $19.5 million with incentives.

In Rodgers’ own words, he took the smaller deal because it was one and done for him. Meaning, he planned to retire after the 2025 season. He certainly played with urgency, leading the Steelers to the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Houston Texans handed the Steelers a grave reality check in the wild-card round.

With the defeat, most just accepted that Rodgers would walk away from the game and spend time with his wife. There’s news for them. Word is, Aaron Rodgers is ready to extend his career and reunite with Mike McCarthy for their iconic partnership.

If that’s the case, the big question is how much the four-time NFL MVP will demand to wear the Steelers jersey one more time. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch has a fair idea of the amount.

This is a guy who outplayed his contract. This decision is coming down to money. The Steelers would like him to come back, but it’s not going to be at the $13 million number. I’m sure Aaron, and I haven’t spoken to him, but I’m sure his representatives are wanting something closer to $30 [million], and you hope that, somewhere, you meet in the middle.

Batch said on The Snap Count podcast (H/T: Steelers Wire)

Batch does bring up a valid point. Before the 2025 season, skeptics doubted whether Rodgers could still compete at a high level. It was far from his best, but the Super Bowl winner still completed 65.7% of his passes for 3322 yards, threw 24 touchdowns, and conceded just 7 interceptions in 16 starts.

The Steelers were among the few teams that let more games slip away from winning positions due to shaky defense. Despite boasting experienced players like Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, and Nick Herbig, the Steelers defense gave up an average of 356.9 overall yards per game, had the fourth-worst passing defense, and the eighth-worst third-down defense.

Rodgers wasn’t exactly the main reason the Steelers dropped seven games in the regular season. In the playoffs, the offensive line went to sleep, allowing four sacks and a couple of turnovers. Keeping all those scenarios in mind, Rodgers has the leverage to demand $30 million as compensation for the 2026 season.

Steelers owner gives a positive update on Aaron Rodgers’ return

If there’s one individual who has all the information about Rodgers, it’s the Steelers owner Art Rooney. Despite his busy schedule, which includes working on revisions to the “Rooney Rule,” the 73-year-old took time to sit down with Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for an interview, during which he hinted at Rodgers’ return.

Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Wants a Contract Closer to $30 MillionYear with the Steelers
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

I still expect that. I expect we’ll get an answer before the draft. When I talked to him, and [GM] Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year. I’m not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.

Art Rooney said

Rodgers recently joined the Pat McAfee Show from the comforts of his home in Malibu. However, refrained from giving away any clues about his future in football.

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