Aaron Rodgers’ free agency decision is the biggest storyline in the NFL, and even after nearly two months since he was released by the New York Jets, he is yet to decide on his future. The four-time NFL MVP has been linked to several teams, but only the Pittsburgh Steelers remain in contention for his services.
The Steelers only have rookie Will Howard, career backup Skylar Thompson, and journeyman Mason Rudolph in their QB room. Pittsburgh could be in trouble at the position, as legendary broadcaster Mike Trico suggests Rodgers might not play another NFL game in his career.
Mike Tirico Suggests Aaron Rodgers Will Retire Before the 2025 Season
Rodgers’ next move has kept fans, teams, and the media guessing since it became clear that the New York Jets were out of the playoff race in 2024. Since the team cut ties with the quarterback, speculation about his NFL future has been in overdrive.
During a recent interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” though, Rodgers suggested that he is in no rush to make a decision, and that retirement remains a possibility.
“I’m open to everything and attached to nothing. So, yeah, retirement could still be a possibility.”
If fans were hoping for a big reveal from Rodgers’ interview, they were disappointed. The possibility of Rodgers retiring has always been viable this offseason, but after he met with several teams, it was expected that he would return to the field in 2025. After revealing his willingness to consider retirement, though, Rodgers confirmed that his focus was primarily on his personal life.
“Right now, my focus has been, and will continue to be, on my personal life.”
Given that the veteran’s comments suggest football is no longer the priority in his life, Tirico suggested there were good chances that he might not play another NFL game in his career.
“I thought his comments about personal life and those other things kind of encroaching on the space of full dedication to football were an indication that it might be the end,” he said on “Up And Adams Show.” “In my soul, I want to see Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. I would love to see that marriage, you don’t need to score 30 with the Steelers, you can score 22 or 19. Just get us down in position for a game-winning field goal. I still think he can do that often enough that I’d love to see that marriage happen. But, as we get down to May, my confidence of that happening has diminished significantly.”
Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin is the pairing Mike Tirico wants to see… but is it likely? 🤔
“It might be the end. In my soul, I want to see Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh… But as we get down to May, my confidence of that happening has diminished significantly.” pic.twitter.com/PZCbfbtSML
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 3, 2025
The Steelers, however, are still waiting for Rodgers and didn’t draft a starting-caliber quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. They selected Howard in the sixth round and have Thompson and Rudolph as the only other QBs on their roster.
With Rudolph having lost more games than he’s won as a starter, the Steelers could be in trouble if Tirico’s assessment turns out to be true.
It’s worth noting that Kirk Cousins has been linked as a backup for Pittsburgh, but as of writing, the Steelers are still banking on Rodgers.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s as a Steelers fan, I’m happy with Mason Rudolph I don’t wont Aaron Rodgers because Aaron Rodgers cares about Aaron Rodgers and he shuold go play up in the Canadian Football League also Aaron Rodgers made the New York Jets worse the new coach and G.M. has a lot work to fix and clean up 2nd I don’t want Kirk Cousins the Atlanta Falcons won’t too much for Kirk Cousins and Kirk Cousins is damage goods