Aaron Rodgers has confirmed that the 2026 season will be the final one of his NFL career. Speaking to reporters in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the 42-year-old quarterback stated unequivocally, “Yes. This is it,” when asked if the upcoming campaign would be his last.
Rodgers Signs One-Year Deal with Steelers
The four-time MVP agreed last weekend to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $25 million. Entering his 22nd NFL season, Rodgers led the Steelers to the AFC North division title last season, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while guiding the team to a playoff appearance.
Reunion with Mike McCarthy
The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who coached Rodgers for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, after Mike Tomlin stepped down this offseason. McCarthy and Rodgers previously defeated Tomlin’s Steelers to win the Super Bowl during the 2010 season in Green Bay, where Rodgers earned two of his four MVP awards under McCarthy's guidance.
Rodgers noted that he contemplated retirement after Tomlin resigned following the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Houston Texans in January. However, the hiring of McCarthy changed his mind. “When [Tomlin] said he was stepping away, that was an emotional moment just because we all love him so much and care about him, and I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh,” Rodgers said. “But when the decision was made to hire [McCarthy], I started opening my mind back up to coming back.”
Full Circle Moment
After 18 seasons with the Packers, Rodgers played for the New York Jets from 2023 to 2024. He described playing under McCarthy again as a “full circle” moment. “There was some doubt for sure, but I had good conversations with Mike going back to when he was hired. It’s nice to come back. It felt different than last year, cause I knew some of the guys and the people that work here,” Rodgers said. “So it felt good coming in.”
Previously, after signing a one-year deal with the Steelers last June, Rodgers told the Pat McAfee Show that the 2025 season would probably be his final in the NFL. Now, with the 2026 season confirmed as his last, the veteran quarterback is set to cap off a storied career that includes four MVP awards, a Super Bowl victory, and numerous records.
