Aaron Rodgers, the veteran quarterback, has officially announced his transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the selection of his new jersey number. The 41-year-old athlete will don No. 8 for the upcoming season, as confirmed by the team in a recent social media post. This number was previously assigned to Steelers punter Corliss Waitman, who will now switch to No. 3 as part of the team's reorganization, according to reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Before this latest move, Rodgers wore No. 8 during his two-year stint with the New York Jets, following an illustrious 18-year career in Green Bay where he became synonymous with No. 12. His jersey number choice reflects both a new chapter in his career and a return to a number that has significance for him.
Rodgers officially agreed to a contract with the Steelers on Thursday, finalizing the deal on Saturday. The one-year contract is valued at $13.65 million, with $10 million guaranteed. Additionally, performance incentives could elevate the total value of the contract to $19.5 million, depending on his performance throughout the season.
This signing marks the conclusion of a lengthy free agency saga for Rodgers, which followed his exit from the Jets in February. His time with New York was tumultuous, as he participated in only 18 games over two seasons. Unfortunately, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during his debut match with the Jets in 2023, which limited his impact on the field.
Rodgers' departure from the Jets was reportedly fraught with tension, especially between him and the team's management. Reports indicated that new head coach Aaron Glenn displayed a lack of respect during their final meeting. In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” in April, Rodgers recounted the encounter, describing how the conversation was unexpectedly brief. He noted that Glenn abruptly left to speak with general manager Darren Mougey after just a few moments.
“That was kind of strange,” Rodgers remarked at the time. “I think we are going to have this long conversation. I’ve flown across the country, and 20 seconds in he goes and he leans to the edge of his seat and says, ‘So, you want to play football?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m interested.’ And he was like, ‘We’re going in a different direction at quarterback.’”
Rodgers expressed his surprise at the abruptness of the meeting, especially considering the effort he made to travel for the discussion. “I was kind of shocked. Not shocked because I didn’t think it was a possibility, but shocked because I just flew across the country, and you could’ve told me this over the phone,” he added.
As Aaron Rodgers embarks on this new journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he will perform in his new role. With a storied career behind him and a fresh start ahead, all eyes will be on Rodgers as he aims to make a significant impact in the upcoming NFL season.
