Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are finally making their long-teased bromance official.
After months of swirling rumors and intense speculation, the four-time NFL MVP has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, pending a physical. While the financial details remain under wraps, the move marks a major shift in Pittsburgh’s quarterback saga.
For months, Rodgers and the Steelers have been cautiously circling one another. In fact, back in late March, Rodgers made a low-key visit to the team’s facility, rolling in incognito behind the wheel of an unmarked sedan, disguised with a hat and sunglasses.
Despite mutual admiration and friendly exchanges, Rodgers didn’t leap into a commitment. On “The Pat McAfee Show” in April, he admitted he was focused on supporting loved ones dealing with personal struggles and wasn’t ready to say yes until he could fully commit.
Now, with mandatory minicamp looming next week, Rodgers has decided he’s ready to give Pittsburgh his all.
He joins a Steelers team still searching for stability under center since Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats in 2021. Either Rodgers or Mason Rudolph—who re-signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year deal in March—is expected to become the team’s fifth Week 1 starter in as many seasons.
Despite the quarterback shuffle, the Steelers have managed to stay competitive, at least to a degree. They’ve reached the playoffs in four of the past five seasons but were swiftly bounced out each time in disappointing fashion.
Last season’s duo, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, helped the team to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth before both departed for New York. Fields has stepped in to replace Rodgers on the Jets, signing a two-year deal, while Wilson inked a one-year contract with the Giants.
With limited viable options left on either side, Rodgers and the Steelers have essentially entered into a marriage of convenience—but one both parties hope can be fruitful.
For Rodgers, it’s a chance to rewrite the ending of his Hall of Fame career after a turbulent and underwhelming stint with the Jets. While he's no long-term solution in Pittsburgh, he’s clearly their best short-term option, especially since the team opted against drafting a top QB in April, instead taking a late-round flyer on former Ohio State talent Will Howard.
The move also finally unites Rodgers with Tomlin, the longest-tenured head coach in major North American pro sports, after years of mutual respect and playful sideline interactions.
Their bromance has long played out publicly. One memorable moment came last season when Rodgers tried to quick-snap the ball, forcing Tomlin to burn a timeout to avoid a penalty—leading to a cheeky nod between the two.
Now, Pittsburgh is banking on Rodgers to have enough physical juice left to pair with his elite football IQ. He put up 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season—not flashy, but solid.
However, his on-field performance was often overshadowed by off-field drama, including frequent appearances on shows like “The Pat McAfee Show”, where he defended himself amidst constant noise as the Jets stumbled to a 5-12 record amid coaching chaos.
But drama isn’t new to the Steelers. Since their last Super Bowl appearance—a loss to Rodgers and the Packers in February 2011—they’ve regularly featured talented but volatile stars: from Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to Le’Veon Bell, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and George Pickens, who was recently traded to Dallas.
This offseason, the Steelers made a splash by acquiring DK Metcalf from Seattle and locking him into a five-year deal, hoping he can bring both stability and maturity to a receiver group often lacking both.
Still, until now, they hadn’t addressed the quarterback position with similar decisiveness. Though Tomlin and team president Art Rooney II left the door open for Fields and Wilson, neither made a serious play to keep them. Instead, Mason Rudolph was brought back, but he’s seen as a backup, not a long-term fix.
Eventually, the pool of experienced quarterbacks narrowed to one: Aaron Rodgers.
His arrival is a bridge, not a foundation. The Steelers are clearly hoping he can keep the team competitive until they can land their franchise quarterback, likely in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Until then, this unexpected duo—Rodgers and Pittsburgh—will try to make the most out of their marriage of necessity, turning it into something that, just maybe, could surprise everyone.