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The next logical question on everyone’s mind after Aaron Rodgers agreed to return for another NFL season last week is: Would he continue to decide year after year how much time he would play, or would this be his last year?
Well, we have an answer from Rodgers himself.
“Yes,” Rodgers told reporters Wednesday when asked if he would retire after this year.
“This is it, yes.”
AARON RODGERS IS READY TO BEGIN THE 22nd NFL SEASON WITH THE PITTSBURGH STEEL
So, Rodgers intends to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in what will be his 22nd season and finish his career after that.
Now comes the part where some people will think this is a good thing, a fitting ending because Rodgers is 42 and turning 43 in December, and he’s obviously old enough to know what’s on his mind and how much he has left in the proverbial tank.
Some people will think this is terrible, because what if it’s really good this season? What if he surprises himself? What are we going to do without Aaron Rodgers? quarterbacks explaining tell your teammates exactly how to execute the plays they may or may not have practiced the week before?
And some people, well, won’t believe a word Rodgers says.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL wild card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 12, 2026. (Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Because he’s known to have changed his mind before.
He has been known to play with words before.
He is known to be difficult to predict both on and off the field.
All of that is at stake.
But assuming Rodgers really does have a plan to play one more season and then disappear into private life, as he’s promised he would do in the past, it has to be said that no matter what happens next season, his legacy is already written.
Aaron Rodgers is a Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP. Only Peyton Manning, with five MVP awards, has won more.
And yes, Rodgers still has a chance to tie it if he fails this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to complete a pass during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 12, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
Aaron Rodgers currently occupies:
- Fourth all-time in touchdown passes with 527.
- Fifth all-time in passing yards with 66,274.
- And he ranks 11th all-time with just over 5,696 career completions.
Only Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Manning have thrown more touchdown passes than Rodgers. Rodgers can eclipse Manning’s mark of 539 touchdowns this season and finish third on the all-time list. Brady (649) and Brees (571) are probably out of his league in the TD passing category.
Only Brady, Brees, Manning and Brett Favre have more career passing yards than Rodgers, who has 66,275. He would have to have a monster season to catch up with Manning, who finished with 71,838 passing yards.
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The point is, Rodgers has amazing statistics that place him among the elite quarterbacks to ever play the game. He is a future Hall of Famer.
Will he be considered among the greats of all time? That’s another question.
That’s not an answer that’s always based on statistics, but rather one that includes opinion and the number of Super Bowls won and how the fickle media feels about a player.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers calls out during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
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The idea here is that Rodgers won’t care much about that.
He knows who he is, how he played and, apparently, when he’s leaving.
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