Where Aaron Rodgers would play in 2025 was one of the most asked questions throughout the 2025 NFL offseason. After months of questioning where the four-time NFL MVP would play, he and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a one-year contract for him to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Rodgers has been in the public eye for the entirety of his NFL career, and the frequent guest of “The Pat McAfee Show” joined the show once again to discuss his NFL future and send a message to his teammates.
Aaron Rodgers Fully Committed to Steelers as Team Tries to Reclaim Playoff Success
“I wanted to be all in … and the way that I was welcomed in [to Pittsburgh] was very cool,” Rodgers said. “I’m gonna give the Steelers everything that I’ve got, and I’m gonna empty the tank.”
Rodgers will turn 42 in December and will be the sixth quarterback to start a game for the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. The team has struggled to find an answer at the position in the post-Roethlisberger era and hopes that Rodgers is the answer, even if it is a short-term one.
Pittsburgh has lost six consecutive postseason games and hasn’t won a game in the playoffs since it defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the 2016 NFL Playoffs.
The Steelers have never had a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin, but fans are getting impatient and clamoring for postseason success. Like Steelers fans, Rodgers hopes to make a deep playoff run with his new team.
“To go out there and have a chance to compete, that’s why I’m working so hard,” Rodgers said. “I want to put myself in a position to play 20 games this year and 20 great ones.”
“I love the game and I dreamed about playing Quarterback..
I wanted to be all in and the way that I was welcomed into Pittsburgh was very cool..
I’m gonna give the Steelers everything that I’ve got and I’m gonna empty the tank” @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/UyNGbsxI8V pic.twitter.com/GrwBR5oYBE
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2025
Entering his 21st season in the NFL, Rodgers is coming off a down year in his first season fully removed from the devastating Achilles tear he suffered in his first game as a New York Jet. Rodgers completed 63.0% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his lone full season as the Jets’ starting quarterback.
Rodgers ranked 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric in 2024, with a 72.2 (C-) grade, but his numbers improved as the season progressed. After the Jets had their bye in week 12, Rodgers had an 11:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, but unfortunately, it was too late for the Jets, who finished with a 5-12 record and missed the playoffs.
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Rodgers will replace the combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback in Pittsburgh, both of whom left in free agency. Wilson signed with the New York Giants, while Fields replaced Rodgers on the Jets.
The Steelers have revamped their offense around Rodgers while retaining Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator. Rodgers will have DK Metcalf, Robert Woods, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson as wide receivers and a tight-end group consisting of Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward.
Meanwhile, out of the backfield, Jaylen Warren, rookie Kaleb Johnson, and Kenneth Gainwell will look to help the Steelers create a balanced attack from the running back position.
Rodgers Reveals Steelers Deal Could Be His Last Ride in the NFL
Rodgers acknowledged that he may be nearing the end of his NFL career and didn’t mince words on how long he may play for Pittsburgh.
“I’m pretty sure this is it, and that’s why we did the one-year deal,” Rodgers said. “What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL.”
“I’m pretty sure this is my last season and that’s why we did the one year deal..
I’ve played twenty years and I’ve enjoyed it..
There’s no better way to finish it than with Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers” @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hWN5veErEH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2025
Rodgers and the Steelers will look to snap the team’s postseason losing streak and give the fanbase some hope. Their season kicks off on a high note, with Rodgers returning to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets in a potential revenge game for both Rodgers and Fields.
How Rodgers’ potential final season goes remains to be seen, but the Steelers will remain one of the top teams to watch in 2025 as the four-time NFL MVP looks to return to form and potentially end on a high note.
