The sticking point for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers becomes money

With quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh today, the question becomes whether a contract will be finalized between Rodgers and the Steelers for 2026.

On one hand, Rodgers wouldn't be making the trip unless he had a pretty good idea that a deal is doable. On the other hand, no deal — no matter how doable — is done until doable becomes did.

The tweets from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network regarding Rodgers's return visit to the Steel City underscore the point that the yellow towels must be accompanied by sufficient green bills.

The unrestricted free agent tender that was applied to Rodgers last week puts on the table a one-year deal at an increase of 10 percent over last year's salary of $13.65 million. Will Rodgers take roughly $15 million for another season? If (as he should) he wants more, how much more does he want?

Some have consistently downplayed the money angle. If it wasn't an issue, now would be the time for the reports to indicate that the two sides have an agreement as to the financial side of the arrangement. Absent such reporting, there's no deal on money.

Which means they'll need to reach one.

Still, the two sides have surely kicked around numbers. To the extent a gap currently exists, Rodgers wouldn't be flying back to Pittsburgh if he didn't think it is something that can be bridged fairly easily.

There's another wrinkle in all of this. Mark Kaboly, the Steelers correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, reports that the Steelers were not aware that Rodgers will be coming to town. The truth could be that Rodgers has decided that it's time to get in a room and hammer out whatever differences may remain as to the financial investment the Steelers are willing to make.

Again, nothing is final until it's final. Plenty of Steelers fans are surely relieved that something finally is happening.