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.”
McAfee asked Rodgers why he decided to give it one more go-round rather than call it quits, which was another option for the four-time Associated Press NFL MVP this offseason.
“I mean, I think it’s not really, ‘(I) can’t go out like this,'” Rodgers said. “It’s, ‘I love the game and there’s been a beautiful relationship.’ This was my first love, when I was 6 years old, dreaming about playing quarterback and being in a Super Bowl and winning the Super Bowl. I wanted to be all-in and I had so many other things going on in my life that were taking my mind and my energy elsewhere.
“And that’s why I appreciated how Mike (Tomlin) was the entire time. Just being able to have those conversations, honest conversations, every single week was really meaningful to me.”
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.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers On Future: ‘I’m Pretty Sure This Is It’
