The wait for Aaron Rodgers’ offseason decision continues. Many assumed that after his 2025 stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers would step away from the game entirely. After all, he initially framed last season as his last dance.
However, toward the end of last season, Rodgers started flirting with the possibility of running it back one more time. Now, the 42-year-old is once again weighing his options. Will he return to the Steelers on a one-year deal to reunite with his former head coach Mike McCarthy? Will he join a different team, like the Arizona Cardinals? Will he retire?
Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Kyle Van Noy believes Rodgers should hang up his cleats and let fans appreciate his legacy rather than chase a perfect exit.
Kyle Van Noy’s Honest Thoughts on Aaron Rodgers’ Offseason Decision
On the “Up & Adams Show,” Kay Adams asked Van Noy for his thoughts on the Rodgers situation, and Van Noy made his feelings clear on the legendary QB.
“I think he should just ride off into the sunset,” Van Noy said. “He’s such a successful player and has nothing left to prove. I know he’s a competitor and probably wants to win [another] Super Bowl. When you win it, it’s like a drug. You want to get back so bad. It’s an unbelievable feeling, so I know that motivates him.”
Few can explain that feeling better than Van Noy himself. He’s won on the biggest stage twice, one more than Rodgers. While Rodgers has had a legendary career, it may eat at him that he only has one Super Bowl given his talent.
But Van Noy believes Rodgers should let it go and take pride in the career he’s had. He also questioned if Rodgers still has the love of the game to keep playing at a high level.
“I don’t know him personally, so I can’t say for sure. I’ve competed against him, but I don’t know if he has the same kind of love for the game, to be honest,” Van Noy added. “He still looks like he has it, but comparing what he was like with the Packers versus now, there’s a little difference. I don’t know what it is.
“It looks like he’s having fun. He talks to more guys on defense, smiling a little more. When he used to play, he had that edge, that mentality. Now it just seems like he’s enjoying it more. He’s got nothing to prove. I respect that. Maybe it’s time to ride off.”
That’s the tricky part about any sport: knowing when to walk away.
Last season with the Steelers, Rodgers posted a 94.8 passer rating with 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions across 16 games. Pittsburgh finished 10-7, while PFSN’s NFL QB Impact metric ranked Rodgers at the No. 29 overall quarterback in the league with a 71.4 QBi score (grade: C-).
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Now, the latest chatter around the league points to the Cardinals as a possible landing spot for the veteran. Arizona already has Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew in the QB room, plus the rookie Carson Beck. Would Rodgers really make sense on a team that’s so far away from contending?
It remains to be seen if Rodgers wants to keep playing. A decision is expected soon, and a return to the Steelers seems like the most likely outcome. However, don’t be surprised if he decides to retire and walk away from football, as Van Noy suggested.
