The long-standing Aaron Rodgers drama has finally come to an end. As per Adam Schefter, Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a one-year deal, after a mystery-heavy few months. Steeler fans have a big, big reason to celebrate today.

This development comes just a day after Rodgers and several of his Pittsburgh teammates were spotted waiting in line at the Kool Cones of North Park in the city. Along with the quarterback, the crew included Pat Freiermuth, Mason Rudolph, and Ben Skowronek. This is the first confirmation fans got of Rodgers meeting his team in person.

It’s been a wild ride for Steelers fans all this time. There were many theories about why Rodgers wasn’t signing a contract sooner. Some suggested that the QB wanted a bigger salary. There was also the idea of Pittsburgh no longer being interested in him since Rodgers is 42 years old. But general manager Omar Khan and team owner Art Rooney II confirmed that Rodgers had been in talks with them constantly.

“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” he said last year about the future of his career, after losing the playoff game to the Houston Texans.

But things turned suspicious once again after it was reported that the QB did not meet with the team, despite having arrived in Pittsburgh. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero thought that this was now beginning to test the Steelers’ limits. However, Rodgers followed through.

He is now expected to join the OTAs on May 18, sources told Schefter. Here’s what we know about this much-talked-about contract.

Aaron Rodgers’ contract breakdown and salary

Schefter reports that the deal is expected to include a base salary between $22 million and $23 million. It could rise to as much as $25 million with incentives included. The deal has yet to be signed, but it’s now a matter of when, not if. More details are awaited.

The veteran quarterback also appears to have received a healthy pay bump this time around. Last season, Rodgers played on a one-year, $13.65 million contract. That included $10 million in guaranteed money that could have risen to $19.5 million through incentives.

As long as this contract saga appeared to be, it actually came together a little quicker than last year. Rodgers had signed that initial contract on June 6th.

What is Aaron Rodgers ‘ net worth?

Rodgers is estimated to possess a net worth of north of $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.  This is a combination of his career earnings, endorsements, and his investments, including his swanky properties.

GOAT debate aside, Rodgers is easily one of the most decorated and talented quarterbacks of modern NFL. That status warranted lucrative contracts during his stints with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. In 2018, he was the highest-paid player in the league, with his total earnings estimated to be at $75.6 million that year. Rodgers held that title from 2013 to 2016 as well.

Aaron Rodger’s Career Earnings

Rodgers’ on-field contract earnings are estimated to total roughly $394.8 million, according to Sportrac. This includes his earnings from his tenures with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Steelers.

The bulk of that salary came from his time with the Packers, having earned $305.6 million across 18 seasons at Lambeau. Rodgers earned $75 million in his 2 years with the Jets. And so far with Pittsburgh, he’s taken home $14.1 million. All of this has come after Rodgers cemented himself as one of the best to have played the game.

Some of his earnings have also come from the various investments Rodgers has made. In 2019, the QB launched a private equity firm known as RX3, which has stakes in some interesting brands like Therabody, CorePower Yoga, and more. In 2023, RX3 was able to gather $150 million in funds.

Interestingly, he’s also one of the few athletes to own a stake in a professional sports team. He purchased a 1% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018.

Aaron Rodgers Brand Endorsements

Rodgers has also accumulated a roster of endorsements to his portfolio over the years, most notably State Farm. It’s a common sight to have seen Rodgers in numerous State Farm commercials over the years. But this partnership ended after 12 years in 2023. This was one of the most notable brand sponsorships in the league at that time.

He’s also been a member of the Adidas brand since 2015. A year before, Rodgers signed an agreement with Fanatics, the leading source for fans to get authentic memorabilia.

Rodgers has also forayed into luxury fashion. In 2021, Zenith Watches onboarded the QB as a brand ambassador. He also designed a special-edition watch for the brand in 2023.

A McCarthy Reunion

Rodgers is now set to reunite with his former Packers HC Mike McCarthy, having already spent 13 seasons together. Together, they amassed a record of 122-77-2, forging one of the most successful QB-HC partnerships in NFL history. They most notably won Super Bowl XLV together. Ironically, their opponent that day was none other than the Steelers.

The organization will now expect the veteran to lead them back to the playoffs and also help them end their nine-year drought without a playoff victory.