Pittsburgh Steelers sign QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers' one-year, $15.015M deal with Pittsburgh earns a B Contract Value Index (CVI) — fair value for a veteran quarterback in a prove-it situation, neither a bargain nor an overpay. At $15M AAV, Rodgers is paid below franchise-quarterback market rate (where elite starters command $45M+), reflecting uncertainty about his mobility and durability after injuries rather than a discount on talent; the Steelers are pricing the bet correctly, not overpaying for name recognition alone. The single-year structure is the deal's smartest feature — it caps downside exposure and forces accountability, giving Pittsburgh an escape hatch if production doesn't materialize while keeping Rodgers' compensation modest enough to stay off the luxury-tax radar. Recent reports suggest he's taken a leadership role in the offense and invested in the organization's development pipeline, which adds intangible value beyond the stat line, but the on-field production must validate the investment; his arm remains above-average, yet the physical limitations documented this offseason mean the Steelers aren't getting a full-health star at a star's salary. The CVI lands at fair value because the cost aligns with the risk and upside — not a steal for a team betting on quarterback play, but not an anchor either.