Aaron Rodgers Confirms 2026 NFL Season Will Be His Last with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers has once again hinted that the upcoming NFL season will be his last, continuing his trend of suggesting retirement. Despite similar statements in the past, Rodgers is set to start for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 and has reiterated that this will be his final year in the league. Having previously made a similar declaration after joining the Steelers last year, Rodgers, who began his NFL career as a backup to Brett Favre, seems determined to stick to his decision this time around. When asked if this would indeed be his last season, Rodgers confirmed, stating, "Yes," and adding, "This is it."
The quarterback also revealed that the departure of former head coach Mike Tomlin initially led him to believe his time in Pittsburgh was coming to an end. However, the hiring of Mike McCarthy as the new head coach prompted Rodgers to reconsider his retirement plans and contemplate returning for another season. Despite a decent but not outstanding performance in the 2025 season, which saw the Steelers barely make it to the playoffs, Rodgers is back for another shot at success. With the Steelers relying on him and facing uncertainty in their quarterback depth chart, which includes Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and Drew Allar, Rodgers remains a crucial asset for the team.
While Pittsburgh still needs to address their long-term quarterback situation, Rodgers' return for one more year provides stability for the upcoming season. The Steelers will have to navigate this issue at a later time, as for now, they can count on Rodgers to lead the team. With Rodgers' history of teasing retirement and then returning, it remains to be seen if this will truly be his final season in the NFL. Until then, fans and the team will have to wait and see if Rodgers follows through on his latest declaration.