Steelers Make 'Rare' Decision on Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

By Andrew McCartyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II made it clear he wanted an answer from Aaron Rodgers regarding the upcoming season before the draft kicked off."I have not talked to [Rodgers]. Coach [Mike McCarthy] has been in contact with him pretty regularly," Rooney said. "I think a decision is coming soon. I would say by the draft I would expect an answer."Despite the expectation being set, the future Hall of Fame quarterback did not give his official decision on the 2026 season. During the third round of the draft, the Steelers selected former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar as the potential quarterback of the future.Just a few days later, the Steelers have made a telling decision on Rodgers.More Golf: Bryson DeChambeau Withdraws With Injury Day After Critical Course Comment...More Golf: LIV Golf in Jeopardy With Final Decision Coming This Week – What to KnowOn Tuesday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Steelers place the "rare" right-of-first-refusal tender on Rodgers.The decision means "that he can accept a 10 percent raise off last year’s salary, which would pay him about $15 million this season, and the Steelers also now will have the right to match any offer sheet he would sign with another team," Schefter noted.View this post on X As another condition of the tender, Rodgers would only be able to sign with the Steelers once training camp begins.The decision from the Steelers puts the ball squarely in Rodgers' court as the offseason continues. It also, however, allows the veteran quarterback time to make his decision on whether or retire or come back for another season.More NFL: Aaron Rodgers Defying Steelers ‘Expectation’ Ahead of NFL DraftRequest Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI GuidelinesRelated PodcastsTop StoriesFor MembersAnalysisHow the Iran War Scored Trump His Biggest OPEC Win Yet5 min readFor MembersAnalysisThe First Rule of Robot War: Keep the Humans Fighting6 min readWorldGermany Can Now Make More Ammunition Than The US, Says Weapons Giant3 min readFor MembersAnalysisDonald Trump Should Let Jimmy Kimmel’s Career Die of Natural Causes6 min readPoliticsHow ‘Bulletproof’ White House Ballroom Would Change Trump’s Security7 min readNewsSecret Service Faces Review As Agency Fails To Learn Lessons From Butler6 min readTrendingOhioSupreme Court Deals Final Blow to Ex-GOP Speaker in $60M Bribery Case6 min readGreen CardGreen Card Update: Applicants Impacted by Trump Travel Ban Get Legal Win6 min readDogsDog Trainer Reveals 5 Signs Your Pup Feels Emotionally Safe at Home3 min readAmazonAmazon Layoffs Hit 4 States Today7 min readJimmy KimmelJimmy Kimmel Defends Melania ‘Widow’ Joke as Trumps Pile Pressure on ABC9 min readOpinionOpinionWhy NATO’s Weakest Link Is Spain | Opinion4 min readOpinionThe Trump Staged Shooting Conspiracies Need to Stop | Opinion6 min readOpinionVirginia Shows the Way: Let’s End the Electoral College Farce | Opinion7 min readOpinionThe DNC Didn’t Ban AIPAC, But Warning Signs Remain | Opinion5 min readOpinionWar Won’t Solve Iran’s Nuclear Threat. This Could | Opinion5 min read

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