Rodgers 'pretty sure' he'll retire after 2025 season
New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday that the 2025 season is likely his final campaign in the NFL.
"I'm pretty sure this is it. That's why we just did a one-year deal," Rodgers said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "The Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything. This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had."
Rodgers added, "What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL, with (head coach) Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys."
Rodgers, 41, signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh on June 5 after spending the past two seasons with the New York Jets. The four-time NFL MVP considered retiring this offseason before joining the Steelers.
Rodgers played his first 18 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him 24th overall in 2005. The former Super Bowl MVP helped Green Bay lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2011 and left the team with a franchise-record 475 career touchdown passes.
The Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets during the 2023 offseason, but the 10-time Pro Bowler's stint in New York didn't go as planned. Rodgers sustained an Achilles injury in his Jets debut and then went 5-12 with the club in 2024.
"It's not really, 'Can't go out like this.' I love the game," Rodgers said about his decision to play in 2025 after the Jets released him.
He added, "I didn't need this. I didn't need it at all. I don't feel the need to prove anything to anybody, don't have any chip on my shoulder that I need to hold on to. I don't want the attention. I know that's a narrative out there. When this is all done ... you won't see me. I won't be in the public, I don't want to live a public life."
The Steelers haven't had a losing season since Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007. However, Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season, having gone one-and-done five times since its last postseason win.
"While I'm in it, for this year, I'm going to give the Steelers everything that I've got and empty the tank," the veteran passer added.
Rodgers' expected last dance with Pittsburgh features games against his former two teams. The Steelers play the Jets in their season opener and the Packers in October.
Rodgers has passed for 62,952 yards and 503 touchdowns against 116 interceptions in 248 regular-season appearances in the NFL. His 102.6 career passer rating is the highest in league history.