Steelers could turn to $131m quarterback as contract dispute could open door to replace Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have quarterback concerns.

After another ‘will he, won’t he’ offseason, Aaron Rodgers returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal, solving their current situation.

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Rodgers first year with the Steelers was inconsistent, and drew to a close with the worst playoff performance of his legendary career.

The 42-year-old confirmed days after he re-signed that 2026 would in fact be his final year in the league.

He will reunite for one last dance with his former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy – with whom he won his lone Super Bowl – following Mike Tomlin’s departure.

So, with their situation sorted for this season, what is going to happen next season? NBC Sports’ Mike Florio believes he has the answer.

“The Steelers would be a perfect fit for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield if he departs in free agency next offseason,” Florio said.

After struggling with various franchises during the 2020’s, Baker Mayfield has finally found a resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield currently has one year left on his three-year, $100 million extension with Tampa Bay – and his future remains uncertain given the latest update.

Mayfield and the franchise are reportedly far apart in their latest negotiations, and the quarterback has said he wants to remain in Tampa.

“I think first and foremost, regardless — we’ve built roots here in Tampa,” Mayfield said.

“We love the community. We love to be here. They’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously going to raise kids here.

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“But yeah, contract stuff — it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking.

“We’d love to be here long-term. And as of right now, that’s not exactly the case, but I’m under contract for 2026.”

Tampa Bay initially brought Mayfield in on a one-year prove-it deal in 2023, succeeding Tom Brady.

It was an opportunity that he grasped, firing a then career-high 4,044 passing yards for 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

He led the Bucs to the playoffs in 23′ and 24′ before an injury riddled 2025 campaign snapped the franchises’ five-year streak of appearances.

Ultimately, Pittsburgh have once again delayed handing the franchise over to a younger quarterback, by keeping it in Rodgers’ hands.

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Mayfield hitting the market is not a ‘sure-thing’, so Howard, and third-round pick Drew Allar better make the most of one final season with Rodgers as a mentor.

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