Steelers Now
Aaron Rodgers was candid about his football future Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show. The 41-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has one more season in him.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it,” Rodgers said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show. “ You know, that’s why we just did a one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had. I mean, I’ve played 20 freaking years. It’s been a long run and I’ve enjoyed it. What better place to finish than (with) one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL.”
Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex questions Rodgers’ decision to reveal the news publicly this early. It could lead to friction down the road.
“Gonna be honest…not a fan of A Rod announcing this could be his last season before camp even starts,” Essex wrote on X. “With that mindset, how will he react when things get inevitably tough? Will he have the intestinal fortitude to fight and persevere or will he just be like meh, a few more months left until it’s over? Also, it’s not like JB, who was an established Steelers legend, wasn’t asked to carry the team and had teammates who were vested in sending him out on the highest of notes. I don’t get the point of announcing it now at all. No upside and will no doubt be brought up when/if there is bad play.”
Gonna be honest…not a fan of A Rod announcing this could be his last season before camp even starts. With that mindset, how will he react when things get inevitably tough? Will he have the intestinal fortitude to fight and persevere or will he just be like meh, a few more…
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) June 24, 2025
Much like he did during his introductory meeting with the media at the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp, Rodgers said nothing is tethering him to the game.
“I didn’t need this. I didn’t need it all,” Rodgers said. “I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anybody (and) don’t have any chip on my shoulder that I need to hold on to. I don’t want the attention. I know that’s a narrative out there. When this is all done … you won’t see me. I won’t be in the public.”
Rodgers is on the verge of breaking several NFL milestones in his 21st season. He needs just 1,337 passing yards to surpass Ben Roethlisberger for the fifth-most all-time, and needs six passing touchdowns to surpass Brett Favre for fourth-most all-time.
The significant milestones could have played a part in Rodgers making one last run. But the main thing seems to be that he didn’t want to leave on a bad note, as his two-year tenure with the New York Jets was an absolute disaster. He also gets a chance to play for a...
