NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis got what he expected: Aaron Rodgers will play one more season in the black and gold suit.
The Steelers officially signed Rodgers to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million last week, and Bettis said there’s excitement in the air.
“It was expected, not necessarily expected, expected that he would consider coming back for another year. Now there’s excitement in the air, obviously knowing it’s his last year as well. We’re in that space where we’re excited about next season,” Bettis told Pak Gazette Digital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Rodgers told reporters that next season will be the last of his illustrious career. Bettis said the Steelers want to send him off on a high note and also want to have a great season.
“You want to send him off well, but you also want to have a great season and look to the future. So there’s a lot of excitement about Aaron coming back for his senior year,” Bettis said.
Last season was Rodgers’ first with the Steelers, and he started 16 games and missed one due to injury. The four-time NFL MVP showed he still had some juice left in the tank, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Before the Steelers signed Rodgers, they selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as their backup quarterbacks.
Bettis is one of the best running backs in Steelers history. Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
ZERO BS. ONLY DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 2026. (GETTY)
In 13 NFL seasons, the last 10 with the Steelers, Bettis ran for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns while catching 200 passes for 1,449 yards and three touchdowns. He was an integral part of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks, as he rushed for three touchdowns during their playoff run.
American Championship of the Century
Bettis will play in the American Century Tournament July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
The tournament has raised more than $8 million for regional and national charities. American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates tournament fundraising to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.
Bettis has been a longtime tournament competitor since retiring in 2006. He said it’s been “amazing” to watch the event grow over the years.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer said he is still trying to get into tournament shape. Bettis said he’s trying out a new swing and wonders how it will hold up.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Jerome Bettis speaks on SiriusXM during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 5, 2025. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Bettis said his favorite part of the tournament is interacting with the athletes and having fun with the guys.
“I think the favorite part is really arguing with the athletes because obviously being retired, you don’t have the opportunity to do that anymore. And so when you get the opportunity to make fun of the guys and have fun with them like that locker room experience again, it’s really fun and exhilarating,” Bettis said.
The tournament will air on NBC and Peacock.
