Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers set to return for his 22nd Season in the NFL

4-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers signed a 1-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported the deal was confirmed on Saturday, May 16^th, 2026. Schefter reports that the base salary is expected to be between $22 and $23 million plus a few million in incentives, making the total contract potentially worth $25 million.

Aaron Rodgers Joins Rare Company

Aaron Rodgers joins seven other quarterbacks who have played in an NFL game at the age of 42 or older. The following quarterbacks have achieved that milestone: Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, George Blanda, Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, Steven Deberge, and Vinny Testaverde. Once next season begins, per Statmuse, Aaron Rodgers will join seven other players who have played in the NFL for 22 or more seasons. The list he will join is: George Blanda, Morten Andersen, Adam Vinatieri, Tom Brady, John Carney, Gary Anderson, and Jeff Feagles.

What it means for the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as the franchise's head coach on January 27^th, 2026. Via the team’s website, Mike McCarthy is the 17^th head coach in franchise history. However, Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy aren’t strangers to one another. Rodgers played for McCarthy during his time at the Green Bay Packers. ESPN’s Schefter shared on X that McCarthy and Rodgers won 107 games, including Super Bowl XLV. The duo currently sits 9^th on the all-time list, and one more victory would tie them past Marv Levy and Jim Kelly for 8^th place.

Rodgers’ Career Accolades and Potential Milestones

According to Statmuse, Rodgers has the 5^th most career passing yards with 66,274. According to Pro-Football Reference, Rodgers currently sits 4^th in career passing touchdowns with 527. Rodgers would need 13 passing touchdowns to pass up Peyton Manning in 3^rd Place, who has 539. Aaron Rodgers is also 5^th in pass completions, with 5,696.

According to Statmuse, Rodgers has the 8^th most rushing touchdowns at the quarterback position with 36. With one more, he would tie Steve McNair and Tobin Rote in 6^th and 7^th. Rodgers also ranks 9^th all-time in rushing yards at the quarterback position with 3,634. With 41 more rushing yards, he would pass Fran Tarkenton in 8^th place.

With Aaron Rodgers entering his 22^nd NFL season, he has some opportunities to move up the leaderboard ranks in several statistical categories.