The Pittsburgh Steelers continue their ongoing saga alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers. At 42 years old, he has the organization on edge as they await his decision on whether he will return for the 2026 season. Negotiations between both parties have stalled, and everything suggests that the holdup revolves around a very specific issue.
The player wants to return to lead the Steelers’ offense heading into the 2026 campaign; however, there is a powerful reason why his return to the franchise has not been finalized, and it has now become a significant obstacle.
According to a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, the reason Rodgers has not put pen to paper is tied to the amount being offered and what he expects to earn for the upcoming season.
Why Aaron Rodgers has not signed with the Steelers, according to Charlie Batch
From the perspective of the former Steelers signal-caller, who shared his thoughts on his Snap Count podcast, money remains the main factor preventing positive news for the AFC North franchise.
This is a guy who outplayed his contract. This decision is coming down to money. The Steelers would like him to come back, yes, but it’s not going to be the $13 million number. I’m sure Aaron, at some point, and I have not spoken to him, but I’m sure his representatives are wanting something close to $30 million. And you hope that, somewhere, you meet in the middle.
It is worth recalling that for the 2025 season, Rodgers played under a $13 million contract, which, from many perspectives, was considered a bargain given his level of performance.
After the season he delivered, his value increased, and he is now seeking a higher salary, which has stalled progress in closing the deal.
What the Steelers should prioritize heading into 2026
The major question is whether both sides can reach an agreement for Aaron to return for one more year in black and gold. It is speculated that his contract could jump from $13 million to $30 million, a figure that would significantly impact the franchise.
Moreover, for a 42-year-old player, that valuation is questionable. The organization should begin to look toward its younger talent and rebuild from there, much like it did with Ben Roethlisberger, a strategy that ultimately paid off with a championship and another Super Bowl appearance.
However, the market appears to support Rodgers’ stance. In 2025, Geno Smith and Justin Fields secured better deals than he did, yet their performances fell well short in comparison.
At the moment, there does not seem to be common ground between the two sides, which could ultimately lead to a final split, and Rodgers might no longer be playing in the NFL.
In Pittsburgh, they must carefully manage their salary cap to continue reshaping the roster and regain a highly competitive level.
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