Aaron Rodgers’ Future in the NFL
After Aaron Rodgers announced his return for another season last week, many are now wondering whether he will have a say in his playing time or if this could be his final year.
Rodgers addressed this directly, stating, “Yes,” when asked about retirement plans after this season. He emphasized, “This is it, yes.”
Rodgers to Begin 22nd NFL Season with Steelers
This will mark Rodgers’ 22nd season, and he plans to retire afterward. At 42, soon to turn 43 in December, he seems aware of his own limits. It’s natural to feel a mix of concern and hope—what if he has an amazing season? There’s a certain charm in imagining what life might be like without his unique contributions, including a bit of “quarterback splaining” on the field.
Not everyone might take Rodgers at his word, though; he has a history of changing his mind and can be unpredictable both in and out of the game.
Assuming he indeed intends to play one more year before stepping back, it’s worth mentioning that his legacy is largely cemented already. A Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP, Rodgers ranks just behind Peyton Manning, who holds five MVP awards.
Current Standings and Legacy
Here are some of Rodgers’ notable stats:
- Fourth all-time in passing touchdowns with 527.
- Fifth in passing yards with 66,274.
- Ranked 11th with just over 5,696 games played.
Only a few, like Tom Brady and Drew Brees, have thrown more touchdowns, and Rodgers might just surpass Manning’s record of 539 this season. In terms of total yardage, Brady, Brees, and Manning all have more, and catching Manning’s 71,838 yards this season seems unlikely.
Rodgers’ statistics place him amongst the elite quarterbacks in history, making him a likely candidate for the Hall of Fame. But, the question of whether he’s considered one of the all-time greats is less clear. It often depends on personal opinions, Super Bowl wins, and media perceptions.
Ultimately, Rodgers seems unconcerned with the crowdsourcing of greatness. He understands his own game, his performance, and, clearly, when it’s time to step away.
