Last summer, Aaron Rodgers strongly indicated the 2025 campaign would be his last in the NFL. His one-year stint in Pittsburgh has gone well, though, and it could continue beyond tonight’s game. 
The Steelers have been willing to keep Rodgers in the fold for next season, and midway through the campaign it was reported Pittsburgh’s hope was for that to take place. The future Hall of Famer, meanwhile, has left the door open to playing at least one more year. It appears an extended arrangement would be welcomed by both parties.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms (video link) there is a mutual interest between Rodgers and the Steelers to continue their partnership. The relationship between Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin remains strong, and Pittsburgh managed to win the AFC North this season with a 10-7 record. Aiming for a similar level of success in 2026 could obviously prove beneficial for all involved.
Rodgers’ legacy certainly took a hit during his Jets tenure, and a messy parting of ways with New York left his future unclear for much of last offseason. Limited free agent interest was shown, but a short-term Steelers pact long loomed as a reasonable proposition on both sides. A one-year deal was ultimately finalized, and it has proven to be worthwhile. Rodgers is now 42, but he has missed only one game so far this season.
The four-time MVP has not matched the statistical output of his best seasons, but an efficient passing output has proven sufficient in Pittsburgh this year. Improvements along the offensive line and at the receiver position would go a long way in providing a boost on offense for 2026. Keeping Rodgers in the fold would also give the unit a high floor next season.
The Steelers have been unable to find a long-term Ben Roethlisberger replacement since his retirement after the 2021 season. Efforts in the draft and along the free agent and trade routes have not yielded the desired results, but Rodgers has proven to be an effective stopgap option. Veteran Mason Rudolph and sixth-round rookie Will Howard are under contract for next season, so stability on the depth chart can be expected moving forward. It is unclear at this point if Rodgers will also be in the fold, but another deal being worked out with the Steelers would not come as a surprise.
How long is this road and how far down it can we kick the can?
Ask the Saints GM the same question about the cap.
With apologies to Sheryl Crow, Every Day is a Wind(y)ing Road, with Rodgers
At least last time they rode all the way down the long tail of a hall of fame quarterback’s career they had been the ones to get his prime and his Super Bowl win first.
Gawd, Aaron is going to be annoying calling games when he retires.
Unless he gets hurt or stinks up the stadium tonight, I feel he will be back with Tomlin next season.
They could have drafted a kid like Schough, an “older” kid coming out for the draft. In fact, he was number one on my list having seen him a number of times. But instead, yes, they kicked the can down the road and will do so again.
I hope Rodgers throws for 400 yards tonight but it’s odd to me that while most teams look to get younger, the Steelers look to get older and more feeble
Liberal sports “writers” heads explode. Love the see/hear it….
So glad that I am able to contemplate nearly everything in life without relating it to politics.
How tiring it must be to come across a conversation about whether some aging athlete is the right choice for a team, and somehow see that as a battle with woke libs.
Now let’s do the Golden Globes.
One season was enough. Gonna be Big Ben 2.0 if they bring AR back …
Of course his legacy took a hit playing for the Jets!! When you play for a bottom feeder and dumpster fire and a piece of garbage franchise your legacy will take a hit!!! Fortunately for him he played for 2 NFL blue bloods between that 2 year nightmare. Good for Rodgers if he wants to continue playing