The Pittsburgh Steelers applied the unrestricted free-agent tender on Aaron Rodgers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The tender includes a 10% increase from Rodgers' previous salary, meaning he'd make roughly $15 million in 2026 if he signs it, per Schefter.
However, the Steelers would receive a compensatory draft pick if the 42-year-old signs with another team, Schefter notes.
Pittsburgh will also obtain exclusive negotiating rights for Rodgers if he doesn't sign with a club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, according to a memo obtained by Schefter.
The Steelers' use of the tender is considered procedural, and they're optimistic that Rodgers will eventually return, a team source told ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Rodgers still hasn't made his plans for 2026 clear, leaving the Steelers in limbo for a second straight offseason. The signal-caller didn't sign with Pittsburgh until June last year.
However, new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this offseason that he remains in frequent communication with Rodgers, whom he previously coached in Green Bay.
Pittsburgh drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round during the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the team a quarterback depth chart that features Allar, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard. McCarthy said the decision to select Allar had nothing to do with Rodgers' future.
Rodgers won 10 of his 16 starts for the Steelers in 2025, leading them to a playoff appearance and AFC North title.
