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Aaron Rodgers has signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers - plus up to $19.5 million in incentives - a structure clearly inspired by Tom Brady's late-career strategy.
Rather than chasing an outsized long-term deal, Rodgers appears to be following Brady's blueprint of combining flexibility with upside, and the approach has drawn strong praise from around the NFL.
Rodgers' contract ranks just 22nd among NFL quarterbacks in base salary, yet includes a rich incentive package tied to playoff and Super Bowl performance.
That layered structure mirrors Brady's later deals, giving teams a chance to invest in talent without the salary-cap risk of a bloated guaranteed contract.
Rodgers seeks opportunity, not cash
When Rodgers announced his decision, comparisons to Brady began to emerge. Brady famously chose short-term, incentive-heavy deals late in his career, enabling him to chase championships while preserving roster flexibility. Rodgers' one-year pact reflects the same philosophy:
- Base salary: $13.65 million, with $10 million guaranteed
- Incentives: $5.85 million max, tied to games played and playoff success
A Sports Illustrated insider noted that Rodgers clearly modelled his deal on Brady's winning formula, stating that the veteran quarterback "took a page from Brady's playbook" in crafting a contract that balances reward with opportunity.
Rodgers s a Steelers roster that remains competitive but salary-capped, and he provides leadership without locking the team into a long-term financial commitment. Like Brady before him, the goal for Rodgers is immediate impact - not a career rededication.
Why the Steelers bet on Rodgers
Unlike drafting or g a high-cost veteran, the Rodgers deal allows Pittsburgh to retain cap space for additional roster needs. The team has already added major pieces-DK Metcalf and speculated additions like Terry McLaurin - to surround Rodgers with weapons. The incentive incentives encourage Rodgers to perform and lead the team deep into the postseason, making it a true win-win arrangement.
Rodgers is also g without a guarantee beyond the one year-another parallel to Brady's choices, which provided teams flexibility to evolve while still having star power under center. Rodgers' manager reportedly informed Pittsburgh that "money wasn't the issue," aligning with Brady's perception of legacy over payday.
Analysts praised the thinking behind the move. Veteran NFL executive Greg Cosell commented, "Rodgers now gives them a shot at glory, without mortgaging the future." His comparison to Brady is now common-both players who chose short deals to chase rings.
In of performance potential, Rodgers has a proven track record with 59,000 career ing yards, four MVPs, and Super Bowl MVP honors. Though he turns 42 this season, his legacy and understanding of the game rival any quarterback in the league.
As Rodgers embarks on what may be his final NFL chapter, this contract could define him as a modern-day Brady - prioritizing championships and flexibility over long-term security. For the Steelers, it's both a gamble and a strategic move, allowing them to add multiple high-impact pieces without sacrificing future planning.
If Pittsburgh achieves postseason success with Rodgers at the helm, the contract will be praised as savvy. And if he excels, there will be no better example of a quarterback riding off into the sunset on his own .