Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday when speaking with Pittsburgh Steelers that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL before retirement.
The last ride for Aaron Rodgers will take place in the 2026 season … at least that’s what he says. Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback confirmed to reporters that he will hang up his cleats following his 22nd NFL season.
Rodgers agreed to a new 1-year deal with the Steelers over the weekend that will reportedly pay him as much as $25 million. The decision followed what has become an annual tradition for Rodgers of a lengthy process before deciding to return to the field.
The 42-year-old quarterback signed in time to take part in offseason workouts this week. Wednesday, he met with reporters and was asked if the upcoming season will indeed be his last.
“Yes. This is it, yeah” he said with a slight smirk.
Rodgers indicated ahead of the 2025 season that it would likely be his last year on the field. Instead, the hiring of Mike McCarthy has head coach in Pittsburgh provided enough incentive to entice Rodgers to return for one more go.
“There was some doubt for sure,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “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, because I knew some of the guys and some of the people that work here.”
Rodgers said he had conversations with McCarthy, GM Omar Khan and his wife about the decision. He ultimately arrived at his choice to return following the NFL draft last month.
Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy Reunite in Pittsburgh
Rodgers said he actually suggested to Khan that the Steelers should interview McCarthy following the season. He didn’t anticipate it would materialize since hiring coaches in the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan coaching trees have been a trend in the NFL.
The future Hall-of-Fame QB became more intrigued about a return when his former Green Bay Packers coach was hired to lead the Steelers. Rodgers and McCarthy won a Super Bowl together in 2010 with the Packers.
The hope is that they rekindle the connection they had during that time, and Rodgers indicated it has been a smooth transition so far.
“I love Mike,” he said. “Mike and I have spent a lot of time together. A lot of great highs over the years. A lot of respect for him. It’s pretty amazing, the guy has coached at three iconic franchises now with Green Bay and Dallas. It was surreal sitting in the meeting the first day, 8 o’clock meeting on Monday.
“It took me back to being a 22-year-old kid sitting in Green Bay listening to Mike’s first meeting in 2006. It’s fun. It’s like a pinch-me moment.”
McCarthy did not let on too much about the behind-the-scenes conversations with Rodgers this spring. However, he spoke Wednesday about the importance of having the veteran QB and MVP winner back in the fold with the Steelers.
“What it means is, you see the reaction in the building,” McCarthy said. “First and foremost starting with the players in the locker room, the coaching staff. Everybody was extremely excited when the decision became official. That speaks for itself and speaks volumes about what he’s established in his short time here.”
Rodgers Heads Into 2026 Season Hoping To Lead Steelers Back To Playoffs
Pittsburgh squeaked into the playoffs last season thanks to a missed Ravens field goal in the final game of the regular season. The Steelers were then trounced by the Houston Texans in the first round. It was one of the least productive full seasons of Rodgers’ career as he passed for just 3,322 yards.
He did toss 24 touchdowns against 7 interceptions in 2025 in guiding the Steelers to 10 wins. Rodgers acknowledged that he kept an eye on the roster rebuild in Pittsburgh this offseason. He was encouraged by the moves Khan and the franchise made including bringing in offensive weapons. Wednesday, Rodgers noted the additions of receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard.
If the offseason additions will be enough to make Pittsburgh competitive in the AFC race will be a lingering question this summer. At the very least, the Steelers have their answer at QB for the upcoming season. The team drafted Penn State’s Drew Allar to go alongside Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
His now impending retirement after the season gives the Steelers some room to begin thinking more about the future at the position. For now, Rodgers will look to expand on his current stellar NFL career.
He will enter the 2026 season with 66,274 career passing yards. Rodgers is currently fourth on the all-time passing touchdowns list with 527. He will likely pass Peyton Manning (539) on the list this season. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and has been named an NFL All-Pro on the first team four times as well.
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