The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a relatively rare move regarding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team has placed the UFA tender on the veteran quarterback.
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This tender is a placeholder "that protects the Steelers rights" in the immediate future. If Rodgers does not return to the Steelers by July 22 but signs with another team due to another player sustaining an injury or for another reason, the Steelers would get some mid-round compensation in return.
Additionally, the Steelers have exclusive negotiating rights with Rodgers through the start of training camp, or July 22, whichever comes first. If this date passes, he can only sign with the Steelers.
According to multiple insiders, this move is relatively procedural. Sources said that the Steelers informed Rodgers and his agent of this move before making it on Tuesday. The team wants and expects the four-time MVP to return to the black and gold for another season.
"It's not used very often, but it's something the teams apply once or twice a year," NFL insider Tom Pelissero said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. "Last year, it was JK Dobbins, Elijah Moore. They both got the UFA tender. Both of them signed with other teams.
"So there is nothing about the UFA tender that precludes you from going elsewhere through July 22, which is about three months from right now."
As Pelissero continued to explain, it's a 10% raise over what the player made in the previous seasons. For Rodgers, this means the offer is for approximately $15 million. He earned $13,650,000 last season while leading the Steelers to the wild-card round of the playoffs.
While the Steelers await a decision from the former Super Bowl champion, the team will move forward with an updated quarterback room.
Will Howard and Mason Rudolph will both return while former Penn State quarterback joins them. The Steelers selected Allar with a third-round pick last week, one year after using a sixth-round pick to select Howard.
