After months of swirling rumors and speculative chatter, Aaron Rodgers is officially a Pittsburgh Steeler. While he might not be gearing up for playoff intensity this year, he’s still making headlines with his massive paychecks. Rodgers has signed a one-year deal worth $13.5 million with the AFC contender. Interestingly, a significant chunk of that, around $10 million, is guaranteed. If he meets performance incentives, the contract could balloon to a maximum of $19.5 million.
When we break it down, Rodgers’ career earnings now soar past $395 million, leaving him tantalizingly close to becoming the first player in NFL history to cross the $400 million mark in contract earnings. Even with this impressive sum, his latest paycheck puts him right in line with others in the league.
Take Russell Wilson, for example. He recently struck a deal with the New York Giants, set to earn $10.5 million for the 2025 season. Despite being five years younger than Rodgers, Wilson’s situation mirrors that of the former Green Bay quarterback, signaling a broader trend where teams seem reluctant to invest heavily in seasoned, yet aging, quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh strategically capitalized on the Denver Broncos’ choice to cover most of Wilson’s 2024 salary by nabbing him for a mere $1.21 million on a one-year contract. While that figure screams “low-risk, low-cost,” it also doesn’t shine a pretty light on Rodgers’ deal. The immediate payout for him raises questions about the overall market for veteran quarterbacks more broadly.
Both Rodgers and Wilson find themselves at a crossroads, having seen significant declines in their performance over the past few seasons. It’s hard not to wonder if retirement is on the horizon for either player, and their current contracts suggest that the Steelers and Giants might be offering their last chances to start at this level in the NFL. Yet, unlike Wilson, Rodgers appears to face little internal competition for the starting spot in Pittsburgh this year.
For the Steelers, this represents a pivotal moment. They’re hoping to salvage what little magic might still exist in Rodgers after he famously obstructed their path to the Super Bowl in earlier years. Now, he’s being called upon to rekindle their playoff hopes.
Despite the surprise nature of his signing, the odds don’t seem to favor him come September. Still, if anyone has the grit and the knack to turn things around for Pittsburgh, it’s undoubtedly the man who holds the record for the most game-winning, Hail Mary passes in NFL history. He’s been in tough spots before, and there’s a sliver of hope that he can rise to the occasion once again, making a final mark before fading from the spotlight.
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