For weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the only NFL team with any interest in signing future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season. Despite this fact, the four-time NFL MVP did not sign with them until today, putting pen to paper and signing a one-year $13.65 million contract (which could be worth $19.5 million with incentives).
Before being released by the New York Jets, Rodgers had informed their new head coach Aaron Glenn that he did indeed want to play for them in 2025. New York, however, did not feel the same way and informed him (in that very same meeting with Glenn) that they were going in a different direction.
Even though he had told the Jets that he still wanted to play, Rodgers took his time before making the decision to sign with the Steelers. He cited the fact that multiple people in his life were/are battling cancer as the reason for his delay in a decision, but it turns out that he needed a little extra convincing before signing his contract.
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Played a Big Role in Getting Aaron Rodgers
It has long been known that Rodgers has a deep-rooted respect for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and that the feeling is mutual from Tomlin’s end. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal with Rodgers would not have gotten done if it had not been for Pittsburgh’s head coach:
ESPN’s Fowler says Mike Tomlin led the charge to bring Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/RoBXg7Eglf
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) June 6, 2025
“We knew this was going to happen… but Mike Tomlin led the charge to bring that man Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’m told they had several meaningful conversations over recent weeks and months to has all this out.
“I was told things started to intensify Thursday morning inside the Steelers building. That’s where people there felt, ‘Okay, this is going to get done.’ And there was a sense of relief because they hadn’t really gotten a full assurance yet.
“They had good vibes and expectations and all those things, but nothing was done. They finally got concretely set up, and really they’re pumped now because they feel Rodgers has remained in good shape despite being away from the team.”
Fowler notes that Pittsburgh knew about Rodgers’ personal matter and that it was a reason why it took him so long to make a decision. However, they decided to give the future Pro Football Hall of Famer respect and time to come to a decision in his own time.
Undoubtedly, it was Tomlin who encouraged the organization to remain patient, promising that it would be worth it. Fortunately for him, it was.
Now the pair have to prove that it was worth it to the fans as they try to improve on their disappointing 10-7 season from a year ago.
More Pittsburgh Steelers News from Gridiron Heroics
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