Rodgers Confirms Retirement After 2026 Season
The 42-year-old four-time NFL MVP signs a final one-year deal worth up to US$25 million, reuniting with head coach Mike McCarthy for his 22nd and last season in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday that the 2026 NFL season will mark the conclusion of his professional career. Speaking at a news conference in Pittsburgh, the 42-year-old stated definitively that this would be his final year in the league, describing the announcement as a "full circle" moment.
Rodgers recently signed a one-year contract with the Steelers valued at up to US$25 million. This agreement reunits him with head coach Mike McCarthy, with whom he spent 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The two previously secured a Super Bowl championship following the 2010 season, where Green Bay defeated the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
The decision to extend his career for a 22nd season was made after the NFL draft, following consultations with Steelers general manager Omar Khan, McCarthy, and Rodgers’ wife. This follows an initial one-year, US$13.65 million deal signed in June 2025, during which time Rodgers had indicated on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the 2025 season would likely be his last.
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, won two of those awards while playing under McCarthy. The reunion with the head coach who guided his early career success represents a significant structural shift for the Steelers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The announcement concludes a period of uncertainty regarding the veteran quarterback's future. By committing to one final season, Rodgers has secured a definitive endpoint for his tenure in the NFL, bringing his career to a close under the same coaching regime that defined much of his early success.
