Pittsburgh Steelers place rare UFA tender on quarterback Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed a rarely used unrestricted free agent tender on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers ahead of the post-draft deadline to protect their compensatory draft pick rights.
The strategic move ensures the franchise will receive valuable draft compensation if the 40-year-old signs with another NFL team before 22 July.
It also grants Pittsburgh exclusive negotiating rights if a deal is not reached with a rival organisation by that date or the start of training camp.
Under the conditions of the tender, the veteran could simply accept a 10% raise on his previous salary, earning him approximately $15m for the upcoming season.
Confidence remains over new deal
Despite applying the tag, team officials reportedly consider the manoeuvre purely procedural and remain highly confident of securing his signature.
Such tenders are highly uncommon in the modern era because players of his exceptional calibre rarely remain unsigned at this advanced stage of the league year.
The former Green Bay Packers star navigated a similar timeline last year, ultimately agreeing to a one-year contract just days before mandatory minicamp in June.
General manager Omar Khan previously expressed optimism at the NFL scouting combine that negotiations would conclude much faster during the current off-season.
Quarterback room expansion
While awaiting a final decision from their marquee signal-caller, the AFC North side proactively bolstered their offensive depth during the recent draft.
The team selected highly rated Penn State prospect Drew Allar in the third round to join a developing roster.
New head coach Mike McCarthy insists the rookie’s arrival will have absolutely no bearing on the ongoing contract discussions with their primary starter.
“This is about developing the room and trying to make the room as deep as we possibly can.”
McCarthy added that the focus remains entirely on building healthy competition alongside existing backups Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
The squad will reconvene for their first voluntary organised team activities on 18 May, before mandatory minicamp begins in early June.