Aaron Rodgers previously mentioned in June that he was “pretty sure” he would retire after just one season with the Steelers.
However, he’s now hinting at playing for 22 seasons in the NFL.
The 42-year-old avoided discussing his future following the Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round on Monday night.
“I’m not going to make an emotional decision,” Rodgers stated. “This year has been quite enjoyable. Sure, it came with its challenges, but overall, it’s been a lot of fun. Last year was great for me, and being part of this team has been a significant part of that. It’s disappointing to be here with the season ending.”
When asked how he would decide between returning or retiring, Rodgers replied, “We just need to step back and have the right conversations.”
He abruptly left the press conference after being repeatedly questioned about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s future.
If this is indeed the conclusion for Rodgers, his final pass was a pick-six with 2:39 left in the game, allowing Texans’ Karen Bullock to score on a 50-yard touchdown.
In the game, Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception, and one lost fumble.
During an earlier appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” in June, Rodgers suggested he was planning to retire after the 2025 election.
“I’m sure that’s part of it,” the four-time MVP noted. “That’s the reason for the one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to commit any longer than that.”
“This was my way of finishing my career on a high note, filled with love, enjoyment, and peace. I’ve played for 20 years, which was a long time and a lot of fun. I can’t think of a better way to wrap it up than with one of the NFL’s cornerstone franchises.”
Rodgers, who disclosed in June that he had quietly gotten married a few months prior, joined the Steelers on June 6 after two seasons with the Jets. He faced a challenging year, having torn his Achilles in the opening game and only appeared in one game in 2023, finishing with a 5-12 record in 2024.
Rodgers criticized head coach Aaron Glenn for requesting him to travel from California for a brief meeting at the Jets’ facility, which lasted just 15 minutes.
He recalled, “I didn’t expect this would be a lengthy conversation. I flew across the country and was there in 20 seconds. He casually leaned forward and asked, ‘So, you want to play soccer?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I’m interested.’ Then he said, ‘We’re heading in a different direction at quarterback.’ It surprised me, though I did think it was a possibility.”
In October, Rodgers shared that he wanted to retire as a Packers player after winning a Super Bowl and 11 playoff games over his 18 seasons with Green Bay.
When this will take place and whether he’ll figure it out during an introspective ayahuasca journey or another kind of retreat remains uncertain.
