Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers entered the 2025 season believing it would be in last, but his comments on Wednesday indicate that he is still open to playing in 2026.
Rodgers spoke about his future this week and acknowledged the obvious: he is 42 years old and is not under contract for next season. This is a change from his previous stance in June – after he signed with the Steelers – when Rodgers was “pretty sure” he would retire after the season. He also noted that he signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh for that reason. His words on Wednesday indicate, at at minimum, that he has not made up his mind.
If Rodgers were to play in 2026, the main question would be where. He believes that he would have options if he decides to keep playing, which could include the Steelers. He expressed his satisfaction with the organization on Wednesday, which could play a factor in his decision.
“I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field,” Rodgers said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “And it’s really what I was hoping for this experience was, it’s been even better than I was hoping.”
Running it back with the Steelers would, of course, mean that the team wants to continue the partnership as well. They appear to be open to the idea. Otherwise, it is hard to know which teams, if any, would be interested in Rodgers.
Rodgers mentioned a few other factors in his decision, including his wife’s insight and his physical ability to keep playing. He may also want to end his career on a better note, especially if the Steelers miss the playoffs with a loss to the Ravens on Sunday night. In general, he putting up similar stats to last season’s numbers with the Jets, but he is also on pace for his fewest yards per game as a starter.
“Anytime you’re in a first-year offense, there’s always some growing pains within the offense,” Rodgers said. “It’s always like, you feel like, if you had another year, what you could do.”
The Steelers offense has been middling at best this year, but it is their first year with Rodgers under center and D.K. Metcalf out wide. The running game has not thrived, and Rodgers has not had a reliable No. 2 receiver to target. Pittsburgh is always interested in wide receivers and the prospect of adding one or two this offseason could inspire Rodgers to come back.
It is also worth noting the past media circuses around Rodgers’ decisions about if and where he will play in the future. If he does decide to return for the 2026 season – his 22nd in the NFL – the process could drag out as it has in years past.
“If he does decide to return for the 2026 season – his 22nd in the NFL – he will drag the process out for as long as anybody will pay attention to his ego-inflated, grandstanding self as he has in years past.”
There ya go. Fixed that last sentence for you.
Cool, this again
I was genuinely upset when the Steelers signed Rodgers. I thought it was a bad move on the field and a worse move off of it, fearing the media circus.
Rodgers has been a great Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s played mostly well. Everyone seems to enjoy having him on the team, and Aaron genuinely seems to be having a fun time more often than not.
If he wants to run it back with Pittsburgh one more time I would most likely be fully on board… but it’s very early and a whole lot can change.
It’s really hard to assess all of this, however
I can agree with much of your reasoning but this is really a horrible offense that refuses to throw deep or in the middle of the field. It’s really failed to use both Freiermuth and Jonnu as receiving threats
The great unknown here is why. Is it an offensive coordinator who’d have been more at home calling plays in the 70’s? Is it a lack of receiving personnel that can get separation? Or is it Rodgers himself, getting rid of the ball quickly so as not to get hit?
He’s been their best alternative since Roethlisberger retired, I’ll grant you that. But this is a franchise stuck in the middle with a lot of old guys like him. Just how long can they continue on this course?
We’ll see how you feel about it in July when he still hasn’t decided if he’ll play again
I wonder what they can do if they upgrade the WR opposite Metcalf and add a stronger RB option to pair with Gainwell. You can tell Rodgers was starting to like Washington before his injury too. This offense can take off next year.
Not with Smith calling the plays.
You’re right about receivers, of course and Gainwell has been a revelation but Warren has done well, too
Guess I’m not as big a believer in Rodgers at this age. Good QB and an upgrade over the last few years but hard to see him leading any take off now