The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback plan hasn't changed following the 2026 NFL Draft—this team wants Aaron Rodgers to return. And after drafting two offensive linemen and a wide receiver in the first three rounds, Rodgers has more incentive than ever to stick around for one more year.
But in the event that Rodgers tries to spurn the team for greener pastures, the Steelers have themselves covered.
On Tuesday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers placed an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) tender on Rodgers.
The initial report suggested this was a right-of-first-refusal tender, but upon further evaluation by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, that's not actually the case. Instead, the Steelers aim to protect themselves with the compensatory formula if Rodgers signs with another team. Florio explained the ordeal on PFT.
"The move gives Rodgers a 10-percent raise over his 2025 contract (if he accepts the tender). More importantly, it preserves the ability of the Steelers to get credit for Rodgers’s potential departure to another team in the convoluted compensatory draft pick formula."
"Contrary to the report, it’s NOT a right of first refusal. For now, Rodgers can still sign with any team at any time, even if another team offers less than whatever the Steelers have or will put on the table. If Rodgers signs with another team, the transaction counts toward both teams’ compensatory pick formulas."
This tender would give Rodgers a 10 percent salary increase for the 2026 season if he elects to sign it. However, the 42-year-old is still legally allowed to sign with another team at any time. By doing so, the Steelers would at least have themselves protected in the comp formula game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers would be in line for a compensatory pick if Aaron Rodgers signs with another team in 2026
The language of the UFA tender is a bit confusing, and it's not used very often. But there's one big takeaway from this: the Pittsburgh Steelers would be on track to receive a comp pick if Rogers signs with another organization this year.
As Florio pointed out, this transaction would impact the comp formula for both teams. For instance, if a team other than the Steelers signs Rodgers, it could cancel out a comp pick they otherwise would have received for the 2027 NFL Draft.
While the Steelers would certainly rather have an experienced veteran (and future Hall of Fame) quarterback than a mid-to-late-round compensatory pick, it at least softens the blow if Rodgers were to spurn them for another team this summer.
Early expectations are that the Steelers could receive as high as a fourth-round compensatory pick if Rodgers were to sign with another organization. For some Steelers fans, this would be an instant win. Not only would the team take a step toward the future by allowing competition to play out between Will Howard and Drew Allar in their young quarterback room, but they would also receive a respectable comp pick in next year's draft.
At the end of the day, this UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers shouldn't impact his decision either way. It still feels like the plan is to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers by OTAs on May 18 (or at the very latest, by mandatory minicamp on June 2).
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