Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, preparing for his announced final NFL season, recently took several teammates on a bonding trip to a remote location. The group included wide receivers DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Ben Skowronek, and Roman Wilson, as well as tight end Pat Freiermuth and backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Images from the trip show the players dressed in cowboy attire, riding horses, engaging in paddleboarding, and gathered around a campfire. Rodgers was pictured holding a cigarette in one photograph.
Rodgers, 42, announced in May that the upcoming season would be his last after signing a $25 million contract. The trip, which he captioned "Last Rodeo. #bondingweek," occurred ahead of the team's training camp. The Steelers are scheduled to report to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for training camp on July 28.
Rodgers previously stated that his wife, referred to as 'Brittani,' influenced his decision to play one more season. He also cited the hiring of Mike McCarthy as the Steelers' head coach, with whom Rodgers won a Super Bowl during their time with the Green Bay Packers, as a significant factor in his return. "There’s definitely a full circle moment," Rodgers said of finishing his career under McCarthy. "When the decision was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back."
Rodgers' career began with the Green Bay Packers. He was traded to the New York Jets in April 2023 but tore his Achilles tendon just four snaps into his debut. After missing the remainder of that season, he returned in 2024 as the Jets finished with a 5-12 record. He expressed displeasure when Aaron Glenn, who took over as head coach, indicated Rodgers was no longer needed by the team. Rodgers noted he took satisfaction in beating the Jets in Week 1 of the previous season.
The Steelers' 2024 regular season is set to begin at home against the Atlanta Falcons in September. The team faces a challenging schedule in the latter half of the season, with matchups against playoff contenders such as the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and AFC North rivals Baltimore Ravens.