Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes that the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL. In a conversation on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, he mentioned that he is likely wrapping up a career that has lasted over twenty years with one final year in Pittsburgh.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it,” Rodgers stated. He spent the first 18 years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he won the NFL MVP award four times. “That’s why we just did a one-year deal.
The Steelers didn’t need to add any extra years or anything like that. This was really about finishing my career with love, fun, and peace.”
“I played for 20 amazing years. It’s been a long journey. I’ve loved it, and there’s no better place to end than with one of the main franchises in the NFL, alongside Mike Tomlin and a fantastic group of leaders and great guys in a city that expects you to win.”
Rodgers, 41, holds the record for the most touchdown passes (475), highest completion percentage (65.3), and best passer rating (103.6) in Packers history. He is also second only to Brett Favre in passing yards (59,055) and completions (5,001).
After a long period of thinking about retirement, Rodgers signed a one-year contract worth $13.65 million just before he had to report to mandatory minicamp this month. He chose to join the Steelers after being let go by the New York Jets following a challenging two years with them.
Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles shortly after starting the 2023 season and ended up with a 5-12 record, missing the playoffs in 2024.
The Jets are set to play against the Steelers in their first game of the season on September 7. Rodgers will face his former team, Green Bay, for the first time this year in Week 8 during “Sunday Night Football.”
Rodgers mentioned that his choice to play another year wasn’t driven by a wish for a better ending. “It’s not really about ‘I can’t go out like this,'” he said on Tuesday. “I love playing football; it has been an amazing part of my life since I was six when I dreamed of being a quarterback and winning in the Super Bowl.
Once I decided I was all-in, I wanted to be at minicamp, but I didn’t need it. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove or any chip on my shoulder. I’m not looking for attention.
“I’m ready to give everything I’ve got to the Steelers and will be completely satisfied with whatever happens.”
For Rodgers, the appeal of playing in Pittsburgh began with Coach Tomlin. He mentioned that they spoke weekly while he was making his decision about the future, and Tomlin’s patience and respect for Rodgers’ choices made a positive impression on him. After signing his contract, Rodgers even went to a cookout at Tomlin’s home.
“I had a lot going on in my life that distracted me, which is why I really appreciated how Mike handled everything,” Rodgers shared. “Being able to have honest talks every week meant a lot to me, and the way I was welcomed was really special.”
Rodgers expressed that he “felt great” in 2024 and noted that his left Achilles “felt incredible.” During an interview with McAfee, he mentioned fitting in time for the chat between his two daily workouts.
He also added that some teammates are planning to head to Malibu, California, next week for a workout session.
Along with discussing the upcoming season, Rodgers shared his annoyance about how much people are interested in his personal life. During minicamp, he mentioned that he was wearing a wedding ring and that he got married a few months ago.
However, he did not reveal who his wife is and told McAfee that he wants to keep his private life away from the spotlight.
“It’s a messed-up society,” he said. “I’ve been in the public eye for 20 years and had a public relationship. How did that turn out? … Now I’m with someone who prefers to be private, who never wanted to be famous, and doesn’t want any of this attention.
“My private life is mine, and it will remain that way. I’m with someone who values her privacy, and if she ever wants to share something or have a picture taken, she’ll decide when that happens because she has every right to do so.”
