Eventually, this day had to come. But for Aaron Rodgers, it'll be a few more days before it actually happens.
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That would be retirement, and Rodgers says after this season, that's what will be in the cards for him. In short, he's playing this year with the Pittsburgh Steelers (his second with the team), and then walking away.
"This is it," Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday.
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh this week, reuniting with coach Mike McCarthy, the same coach who helped guide him through most of his Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers admitted he originally thought his time in Pittsburgh was over after former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped away following last season's playoff loss to Houston. But when the Steelers hired McCarthy, Rodgers said the idea of returning suddenly became very real again.
"Honestly, sitting in the first meeting Monday took me back to being a 22-year-old kid in Green Bay," he said.
One last ride for @aaronrodgers12 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Thby6p4sXQ
— NFL (@NFL) May 20, 2026
The 42-year-old quarterback enters his 22nd and final season already ranked among the NFL's all-time leaders in nearly every major passing category, including fourth in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards. Only Peyton Manning has won more NFL MVP awards than Rodgers' four.
Last season, Rodgers helped Pittsburgh reach the playoffs, and he said he believes the team improved its roster again this offseason with additions on both sides of the ball.
McCarthy also said Rodgers still looks very much like himself physically, joking after practice that the quarterback "made sure everybody saw" he can still sling it.
"He can throw it with anybody," McCarthy said.
