Steelers, Max Iheanachor Agree To Deal
The Steelers and first-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor have agreed to a deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports. Iheanachor, the 21st overall pick, will earn a fully guaranteed $20.69MM on his four-year pact.
The Steelers intended to use their top pick on former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, whom they called beforehand. However, while the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon, he got a call from the Eagles. They moved up from 23rd to 20th in a trade with the Cowboys and drafted Lemon, leaving the Steelers to turn to their Plan B. They pivoted to Iheanachor, whom they expect to emerge as a long-term building block up front.
Iheanachor spent the past two-plus years as the starting right tackle at Arizona State, where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. There is a chance Iheanachor will end up as the Steelers’ left tackle down the road, especially if Broderick Jones leaves in free agency next year. For now, though, they plan to keep Iheanachor on the right side.
It is up in the air whether the 6-foot-6, 321-pound Iheanachor will step in as an immediate starter as a rookie. The Steelers are returning last year’s full-time RT starter, 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu, but he could be needed on the left side if Jones’ recovery from neck surgery keeps him out for the start of the season. Dylan Cook is also an in-house possibility to fill in for Jones. Cook is the only member of the quartet who was not a first-round pick (he was undrafted), which illustrates how much draft capital the Steelers have spent on the position in recent years. The Jones selection has not gone as planned, though, as the team declined his fifth-year option for 2027 last month.
Along with Iheanachor, the Steelers drafted nine other rookies this year. They now have seven of those players under contract. Here is the defending AFC North champions’ full list of picks:
- Round 1, No. 21: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 47 (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
- Round 3, No. 76 (from Cowboys): Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)
- Round 3, No. 85: Daylen Everette (CB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 96 (from Seahawks): Gennings Dunker (G, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 121: Kaden Wetjen (WR, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 169 (from Rams via Chiefs): Riley Nowakowski (TE, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 210 (from Rams via Chiefs): Gabe Rubio (DL, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 224 (from Saints via Patriots): Robert Spears-Jennings (S, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 230 (from Colts): Eli Heidenreich (RB, Navy)
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($32MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/26
Today’s midweek minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): WR Brenden Rice
Houston Texans
- Waived (with injury designation): OLB Xavier Thomas
Los Angeles Chargers
- Reverted to IR: CB Jeremiah Wilson
New York Jets
- Waived (with injury settlement): S Chris Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Makari Paige
Steelers’ Max Iheanachor To Begin Career At Right Tackle
Steelers first-round pick Max Iheanachor may take over as their starting left tackle one day, but it appears that will have to wait. Iheanachor revealed he will begin his NFL career at right tackle, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.
The right side is familiar territory for Iheanachor, who was Arizona State’s starting RT for the past two-plus years. On the heels of Iheanachor’s second-team All-Big 12 showing in 2025, the Steelers drafted him 21st overall. He was one of nine offensive linemen to come off the board in the first round. Guard Vega Ioane, who went 14th overall to the AFC North rival Ravens, is also a member of a large first-round O-line class. The Steelers “had an affinity for Ioane,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports, but there is no word on whether they tried to jump ahead of the Ravens for him.
In addition to the Ioane hypothetical, there is another first-round “what-if” centered on the Steelers. As those who follow the draft know, the team thought it was on the cusp of taking former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at 21. Instead, the Eagles made a last-second trade-up to No. 20 to nab Lemon while he was on the phone with the Steelers. After ending up with Iheanachor with their top selection, the Steelers addressed their receiver need when they chose former Alabama standout Germie Bernard in the second round.
While Iheanachor could win the right tackle spot as a rookie, it is unclear who will man the left side. The job would belong to a healthy Broderick Jones, but his season-opening status is up in the air as he recovers from neck surgery. Pittsburgh declined Jones’ fifth-year option for 2027, meaning the former first-rounder could be entering his last season with the team. Iheanachor may be a candidate to replace Jones if he is off the Steelers’ roster a year from now. In the meantime, if Jones is not ready for Week 1, the Steelers could turn to Troy Fautanu, though Kaboly notes that is not a given. While Fautanu played left tackle at Washington, he has not lined up there during his two-year NFL career.
As the Steelers’ starting right tackle last season, Fautanu played 100% of offensive snaps. But if professional left tackle experience is a must, Dylan Cook could have a shot at the gig until Jones returns. Cook went undrafted back in 2022, though it took until last season for him to get on the field in the regular season. He played in six games and logged five starts, including a wild-card round loss to the Texans. Almost all of his snaps (346 of 348) came at left tackle. Although it was a relatively small sample of work, Pro Football Focus ranked Cook’s performance 20th among 84 qualified tackles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/26
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Shane Zylstra
- Waived: K Maddux Trujillo
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
- Waived: RB Deuce Vaughn, CB Will Wright
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers: DB M.J. Devonshire (from Bills), TE Luke Lachey (from Texans)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Johnny Pascuzzi, S Myles Purchase, OT Laekin Vakalahi
- Waived: OLB Niles King, TE Tanner McLachlan, TE Thomas Yassmin
- Waived/injured: CB Jeremiah Wilson
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserved/retired list: RB Le’Veon Moss
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived/failed physical: CB Cory Trice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Caden Fordham
Steelers Prepared For Will Howard-Mason Rudolph QB Competition; Latest On Aaron Rodgers
This past weekend came and went without any deal being finalized between Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. The future Hall of Famer was indeed in Pittsburgh, but contact was not made with the team.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora confirms as much, adding there has yet to be a firm commitment provided by the player to the team in this long-running (but familiar) saga. Rodgers remained unsigned until June 5 in 2025, and with spring practices approaching for this year it is still unclear if a second Steelers campaign will be in store. New head coach Mike McCarthy has begun installing his offense with Pittsburgh’s three current passers, a group which includes rookie Drew Allar but two quarterbacks he inherited.
The two of them – 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard along with veteran Mason Rudolph – loom as QB1 options as things stand. La Canfora reports the Steelers have not been in contact with non-Rodgers free agents or with outside teams regarding a trade for a passer. The team has kept the door open to a Rodgers reunion, but clarity was expected well before this point of the spring. In event no deal is worked out, a competition among the incumbent quarterbacks will take place.
On that note, La Canfora adds Howard continues to be a player whose development the team remains “very excited about.” McCarthy praised the Ohio State product earlier this offseason, but it still came as little surprise when Pittsburgh made a second straight draft investment in the form of Allar. Howard will nevertheless have a “very real chance” to land the QB1 gig over Rudolph if Rodgers retires or the decision is made to move forward without him.
The Steelers recently placed the rarely-used UFA tender on Rodgers to provide insurance against the unlikely possibility of him signing elsewhere. The 42-year-old was originally on course to have Pittsburgh tenure last only one season, but over time all parties warmed to the idea of a 2026 agreement. The decision by Mike Tomlin to resign as head coach left Rodgers without a staffer he enjoyed working with, although McCarthy is a familiar face given their previous time in Green Bay. McCarthy has consistently said he would welcome a Rodgers reunion.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor notes (video link) May 18 is still a date to watch closely in this situation. That marks the beginning of the Steelers’ OTAs. Pittsburgh’s preference would no doubt be to have Rodgers under contract before that point, and finances are not believed to be an issue as it pertains to the four-time MVP. It will be interesting to see if recent talks involving his agent have laid the groundwork for a contract.
If Rodgers does not wind up joining the team relatively soon, attention will turn to a potential Howard-Rudolph training camp competition. Howard, 24, did not seen any action during the regular season as a rookie, while Rudolph has 19 starts to his name. The 30-year-old returned to Pittsburgh last offseason, and he is on the books for one more year. With the Steelers aiming to contend for the playoffs once again in 2026, expectations would likely be tempered in the event their quarterback setup arrived at such a situation. That would of course be avoided with a Rodgers signing, but uncertainty still looms over his immediate future.
Steelers, Chris Boswell Agree To Extension
Last summer, it became clear Chris Boswell was among the members of the Steelers who were seeking a raise. No new deal was worked out with Pittsburgh’s longtime kicker in 2025, but an agreement is now in place.
Team and player have agreed to an extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This is a four-year, $28MM deal, he adds. Boswell was set to enter the 2026 season as a pending free agent, but that will no longer be the case. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette adds the deal contains $14.7MM guaranteed.
Schefter notes Boswell is under contract through 2030, meaning today’s news consists of four new years being added to the final one of the two-time Pro Bowler’s existing pact. A raise is indeed forthcoming as a result of this extension as well. Boswell was previously attached to an average annual value of $5MM, but this new pact checks in at $7MM per year. That AAV mark matches the price point Brandon Aubrey recently reached with the Cowboys on his own 4/28 deal.
Boswell has handled kicking duties for the Steelers over the past 11 years, and that lengthy run will continue well into the future. The 35-year-old posted a field goal accuracy rate of just 65% in 2018 and 71.4% in 2022. Otherwise, Boswell has enjoyed consistent high-end production and given Pittsburgh stability at the position. The team is clearly comfortable with a long-term commitment in this case despite Boswell’s age.
In 2024, the former UDFA led the NFL with 41 made field goals. Boswell reached that mark on 44 attempts while going 35-for-35 on extra point kicks. That success resulted in a Pro Bowl nod along with first-team All-Pro honors. Boswell delivered another strong season this past year, including success on nine of 11 field goal tries from 50 yards and beyond. Sustained accuracy from long distance will be expected given the term and finances of this extension.
The top of the kicker market sat at $6.4MM at the onset of the 2026 offseason. Since then, Ka’imi Fairbairn has worked out a $6.5MM-per-year deal with the Texans, something which was followed by Aubrey’s Cowboys extension. There are now two kickers at the $7MM AAV mark, with seven others earning over $5MM annually.
Boswell has totaled 178 regular and postseason appearances during his Steelers tenure. That figure is set to increase substantially over the coming years while he plays out his third consecutive four-year pact. Pittsburgh will have a new punter for 2026 after Corliss Waitman departed in free agency. Cameron Johnston will be back in the fold for next season, while Christian Kuntz is in position to remain the team’s long snapper. That special teams familiarity will include a continued runway for Boswell in 2026 and beyond.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/26
Here are the rookies who inked their four-year deals on Saturday:
New England Patriots
- TE Eli Raridon (third round, Notre Dame)
- EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins (seventh round, Boston College)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Daylen Everett (third round, Georgia)
- G Gennings Dunker (third round, Iowa)
- TE/FB Riley Nowakowski (fifth round, Indiana)
Aaron Rodgers Expected To Visit Steelers, Finalize 2026 Deal
MAY 9: According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rodgers has been in Pittsburgh over the last few days, but he, personally, has not been meeting with the Steelers. While the team’s three-day rookie minicamp is taking place, Rodgers has stayed away from the team facilities, and his agent has been tasked with negotiating with Pittsburgh’s front office.
Dulac claimed it’s possible Rodgers may finally meet with the team “in the next day or two,” if the two sides are able to work out terms for an agreement, before quickly running through the list of misleading headlines that have hinted at forward progress throughout the offseason. With Rodgers finally at least in the same city, it does still look like things are coming to a conclusion, but if the Steelers can’t secure a commitment from Rodgers by the start of OTAs on May 18, as Dulac put it, “the team’s patience with him could grow thin.”
MAY 7: Finality on the Aaron Rodgers front may be imminent. His second Steelers contract has yet to be signed, but that could change over the coming days.
Rodgers is set to visit Pittsburgh ahead of signing a deal this weekend, as first reported by 93.7 The Fan (video link). Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show cautions the Steelers themselves have not yet been informed of this news, although he adds an agreement is still widely expected to be finalized.
Rodgers is set to visit beginning tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds. He confirms a Steelers agreement for 2026 remains the expectation for all involved. The rarely-used UFA tender came into play last week, but Rapoport notes that is viewed as a placeholder. Rodgers would collect roughly $15MM if he were to play on the one-year tender in 2026, though the upcoming summit will allow for a more traditional contract to be worked out.
When Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh last spring, it appeared as though 2025 would be his final NFL season. Over time, though, it became increasingly clear he would be open to playing a 22nd campaign and that the Steelers would welcome him back. Mike Tomlin resigned after the team’s exit in the wild-card round, but the decision to replace him with Mike McCarthy means Rodgers will have a familiar coach in place once his second Pittsburgh pact is finalized. McCarthy and Rodgers overlapped during their Super Bowl-winning time together in Green Bay.
The UFA tender decision did not appear to lead to a change regarding Rodgers’ stance, and the latest reporting on this situation indicated finances were not a major sticking point. It will be interesting to see if upcoming contract talks go smoothly and result in a pact being finalized in short order. Rodgers collected $10MM guaranteed on his 2025 deal, one which paid out roughly $14MM in total.
The four-time MVP started 16 games during the regular season along with Pittsburgh’s wild-card contest in 2025. Rodgers offered a higher floor than the Steelers’ other post-Ben Roethlisberger quarterbacks, something which will be expected to remain the case next year. His age leaves the matter of a long-term plan at QB unclear, however, and after selecting Will Howard in the sixth round last spring Pittsburgh added Drew Allar in the third round of this year’s draft.
Those two will be seen as developmental options, while veteran Mason Rudolph is also in the fold at this time. A fourth signal-caller could very well be in place very soon, as a Rodgers agreement would set him up to handle first-team reps for spring practices. The Steelers’ OTAs begin on May 18, and an answer to the question of whether or not Rodgers will be under contract by that point should soon emerge.