Aaron Rodgers, the 42-year-old quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has confirmed that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL. The announcement came during a press conference on Wednesday, where Rodgers responded definitively to questions about his future. 'Yes,' Rodgers said when asked if 2026 would be his final season. 'This is it, yep.'
Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in 2025, will enter his 22nd NFL season in 2026. He previously hinted at retirement after the 2025 season but ultimately decided to return for another year. The Steelers, led by new head coach Mike McCarthy, won the AFC North title in 2025 with Rodgers at the helm. Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season.
Rodgers spent the first 18 years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, winning Super Bowl XLV under McCarthy. He also played for the New York Jets before joining the Steelers. After the Steelers' playoff loss to the Houston Texans in 2026, longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down, and McCarthy was hired as his replacement. Rodgers initially considered retiring after Tomlin's departure but ultimately decided to return for another season.
Rodgers has stated in the past that he plans to leave the public eye entirely after retiring from football.