Aaron Rodgers will officially hang up the cleats following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL season. After news broke that he would return to the NFL and Pittsburgh specifically, the 42-year-old is candid in claiming this will be his last ride.
Aaron Rodgers’ 1-Year Deal With Steelers To Be Final of Storied NFL Career
On Monday, Pittsburgh inked the four-time MVP to a one-year $22 million contract, which Rodgers has officially stated will be his last. NFL insider Ari Meirov took to X to describe the details, prompting an eruption from social media.
#Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, the 4x MVP and future Hall of Famer, said today he will retire after the 2026 season.
“This is it.” pic.twitter.com/hny30IYYtZ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 20, 2026
“This is it,” Rodgers said, courtesy of Meriov’s post.
A first ballot Hall of Famer, Rodgers will go down as one of the best to ever step onto a football field. As mentioned previously, a four-time MVP, a Super Bowl champion, a nine-time Division champion, the fifth-most passing yards in NFL history, and one of the most brilliant minds has one run left.
NFL insider James Palmer builds on Rodgers’ legacy, touching on several of his most impressive accolades.
Aaron Rodgers told reporters that this is his final season.
– Rodgers is entering his 22nd season.
– Will turn 43 in December. Only 5 QBs have started a game at 43 or older.
– 5th all-time passing (5,564 behind Favre 4th)
– 5th all-time completions (429 behind Favre 4th)
– 4th…— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) May 20, 2026
“Aaron Rodgers told reporters that this is his final season.
– Rodgers is entering his 22nd season.
– Will turn 43 in December. Only 5 QBs have started a game at 43 or older.
– 5th all-time passing (5,564 behind Favre 4th)
– 5th all-time completions (429 behind Favre 4th)
– 4th all-time passing TDs (12 behind Payton Manning)
– T-1st with Lamar Jackson with 102.2 pass rating.
– Can pass Big Ben (165) and Brees (172) with 10 wins and move to 3rd all-time. ”
With hype building around what is going to be an undeniably entertaining NFL season, what are NFL fans thinking regarding Rodgers’ last hoo-rah?
Retirement Tour Rodgers https://t.co/aFADWOE3aI
— Zirksee🍽️ (@Zirksee) May 20, 2026
“Retirement tour, Rodgers,” tokened an X user.
The last dance. https://t.co/4R3rQrVG8f
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) May 20, 2026
“The last dance,” wrote another X user.
Rodgers’ last dance comes with head coach Mike McCarthy, a duo that together won Green Bay a Super Bowl in 2011. Ironically enough, that championship came in the form of defeating Pittsburgh.
The storybook ending offers NFL fans an opportunity to appreciate the legend’s greatness one last time, a sentiment echoed by another NFL fan on social media.
Don’t take a single game for granted this year
Arguably the best mind and thrower of the football this game has ever seen https://t.co/zR1NdFlpGa
— Bryce DeGroat (@NFL_Convo) May 20, 2026
“Don’t take a single game for granted this year,” wrote an X user. “Arguably the best mind and thrower of the football this game has ever seen.”
Beyond this being his last NFL season, the veteran gunslinger will play his final primetime contest on Monday Night midway through December (barring a playoff appearance).
So the final primetime game he’ll ever play, as things stand, is against the Jaguars on Monday Night Football https://t.co/a2bsjdmRN6
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) May 20, 2026
One Jacksonville fan joined the conversation, pointing out that the California University alumni’s final tilt under the lights will come against the Jaguars.
“So the final primetime game he’ll ever play, as things stand, is against the Jaguars on Monday Night Football.”
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
Adding to Rodgers’ matching up with specific teams, PFSN’s Jacob Infante joked, “Aaron Rodgers will never play against the Bears again.” This, of course, unless the two meet in the Super Bowl.
Clemson beat writer Drew Cagle defined the situation as somewhat ideal for Pittsburgh, as their two young quarterbacks (Will Howard and Drew Allar) can learn under the mastermind one last time.
Best-case (long-term) scenario for the Steelers. 1 last ride with Rodgers, develop Howard/Allar behind him. Then give the keys to a youngster for 2027. https://t.co/VoTfcLlrIx
— Drew Cagle (@_dcagle) May 20, 2026
“Best-case (long-term) scenario for the Steelers,” said Cagle. “1 last ride with Rodgers, develop Howard/Allar behind him. Then give the keys to a youngster for 2027.”
Howard and Allar appear to be in a bit of a duel for the next QB1 of the Steelers, a quiet headline that Rodgers may help the Steelers organization resolve in his final season.
Coming off an AFC North division title and a strong season from Rodgers personally, could the Steelers give the legendary quarterback one last shot at a title to close the doors on his career?
