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Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers says 2026 will be final season

By Thomson Reuters May 20, 2026 | 2:42 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed in a press conference Wednesday that the 2026 season, his 22nd in ​the NFL, will be his last.

“Yes. ‌This is it,” the four-time NFL MVP said when asked if this would be his final season.

Rodgers, 42, officially signed a one-year, $25 million contract to ‌return ​for a second season ⁠in Pittsburgh on Monday ⁠after months of uncertainty about a potential retirement.

He led the Steelers to an AFC North title in his first season, ​throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He admitted in the press ⁠conference that he thought ⁠former Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin’s retirement ​meant a similar end for his tenure and ​likely career as a whole.

But when ‌the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who coached Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay, that line of thinking shifted.

“When the decision ⁠was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers, ⁠the 24th ‌overall pick in the 2005 ⁠NFL Draft by Green Bay, ​has ‌made 10 Pro Bowls, four All-Pro ​teams and ⁠led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV championship over his 21 seasons. He’s the active leader in career passing yards (66,274, fifth-most in NFL history) and passing touchdowns (527, fourth).

–Field ​Level Media