Steelers Lock in Aaron Rodgers with Franchise Tag

0:00It's April 28th. This is NFL News Today, powered by AI, your gridiron update. I'm Cory with the story. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't taking chances on losing another star like they did with wide receiver McCoy Lemon to the Eagles. They slapped the right-of-first refusal tag on free agent quarterback Aaron Rogers, locking in their ability to match any offer he gets. This tender bumps Rogers' potential, 2026 salary, to about $15 million with a 10% raise from his 13.6. 5 million in 2025. If no one signs him before training camp, Pittsburgh gets exclusive negotiating rights. And if he bounces to another team, the Steelers score a compensatory draft pick in 2027. It's a rare move in the NFL, like when the Patriots did it with running back LaGuerre Blount back in 2017, but he's still left for Philly. Fans and analysts see it as the Steelers' prioritizing stability after snagging their first AFC North title since 2020.

1:00Right now their quarterback room has veteran Mason Rudolph, sixth round pick Will Howard from 2025, and third-rounder Drew Aller lined. Up for 2026, but Rogers remains the big question mark. A Rogers return could reunite him with coach Mike McCarthy, making them the first duo to win a Super Bowl together, then start fresh on a new. Meanwhile, keeping Pittsburgh's momentum rolling strong.