Aaron Rodgers Leaves NFL World Divided After Revealing His Retirement Plans originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Aaron Rodgers is entering his 21st NFL season, this time with his third team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. After several months full of rumors and speculation, the four-time NFL MVP joined the Steelers on a one-year, $13.65 million deal.
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Rodgers spent two seasons with the New York Jets (only one fully active after suffering an Achilles injury in 2023) after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. With a 5-12 record, he couldn’t live up to expectations and left New York on bad terms.
The Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints were mentioned as potential landing spots for the 41-year-old quarterback. However, the AFC North franchise was his only viable option after the others moved on during the offseason.
Rodgers explained several times that he was close to hanging up the cleats and calling it a career. In April, he said things off-field made it difficult for him to decide on his future.
Two weeks ago, he said his two options for this year were either to play for the Steelers or retire. He went with the first, but the possibility of seeing Rodgers play his final NFL season remains a popular topic around the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers© Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
During Tuesday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show” (via Adam Schefter on X), Rodgers announced this was “pretty much” his final season in the league.
Fans were divided on this announcement. Some criticized Rodgers for trying to stay relevant and lying about his real retirement intentions, while others didn’t buy that he was being honest.
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“Attention seeker,” one fan said.
“He’s rocking #8…. Cmon now,” another fan said.
“I’ll believe it when I see it. How’s Pittsburgh going to do with him running the O?” a third fan wrote.
“til next season,” a fourth fan said.
“This is like Aaron Rodgers’ fourth ‘Last Dance’,” a fifth fan added.
“He’ll go on another ‘darkness retreat’ in 6 months leaving teams in limbo and then announce his retirement in July 2026 before camp opens because his ego is too big,” a sixth fan predicted.
Rodgers has earned a reputation due to his personality and the way he’s handled his career in recent years. The Steelers had Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center last season and posted a 10-7 record.
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They know what it takes to make it to the playoffs, but it might be up to Rodgers to determine how deep they can go in the postseason.
Related: Aaron Rodgers’ Major Steelers Update Has Fans Unsure How to Feel
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.