Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has stated that the upcoming 2026 NFL season will be the final one of his career, leaving "zero debate" about his retirement decision by season's end. Rodgers, 42, confirmed his intention during a training camp press conference.
Rodgers initially considered the 2025 season his last but reconsidered after the hiring of former coach Mike McCarthy in January. Rodgers and McCarthy spent 15 seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, including a Super Bowl XLV victory in 2010.
"This is it," Rodgers said. "I thought last year might be it and then Mike [McCarthy] got hired, and then talked to the wife and she said, ‘You can do one more year. See if it works out.’ And then it kinda all came together."
The four-time MVP quarterback had previously declared his intention to retire after signing a one-year contract with the Steelers for his second season with the team. He had informed the Steelers of his decision shortly before minicamp, stating that he was not under contract and therefore had flexibility in his timeline.
Last season, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, leading the Steelers to a 10-7 record. The team's season concluded with a wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans.