Sportsnaut
Even though Aaron Rodgers has hinted this will be his final year in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping that’s not the case.
After two tumultuous seasons with the New York Jets, the four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Steelers, leading them to a 4-2 record heading into Sunday night’s showdown with his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers has said he’s “pretty sure” this year will be his last, but the Steelers want him to hang around for at least one more season.
“Pittsburgh has Aaron Rodgers on a one-year deal, but the Steelers would love to have him back next season,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.
Strong Start Has Pittsburgh Thinking Long-Term
The 41-year-old Rodgers has completed 68.6% of his passes for 1,270 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. He currently leads the league in touchdowns per pass attempt at 8.1%.
The Steelers have no internal option to succeed Rodgers in 2026. Bringing him back would allow Pittsburgh to use a high pick on a quarterback in next year’s draft while keeping a veteran in place.
Rodgers talked about hanging it up this week, saying he would like to ceremoniously retire as a Packer, where he played 18 seasons and won a Super Bowl.
“I was there for 18 years,” Rodgers told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s the bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer and see what happens after that. I’ve got a lot of love for the organization [and] my time there. They asked this week is it a revenge game or whatever. What do I got to be avenging here? They made me a ton of money. I grew up there, spent some of the best years of my life there. I’ve got nothing but love for the organization.”
Sunday will be the first time Rodgers has faced the Packers since leaving Green Bay, though the game will be at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, not Lambeau Field.
The Steelers are 2.5-point home underdogs.
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