Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was supposed to hang up his cleats last year. However, with his former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy joining the Steelers, he chose to stay on. Now, he has clarified that this will be his final season with Pittsburgh without any doubt.

Speaking to Fox News, Rodgers gave his verdict on his final year.

"This is it," said Rodgers, "I thought last year might be it, and then Mike 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."

Rodgers' interview with Fox News on July 27 clearly tells you this will be his final run in his 22nd NFL season. There won't be any further deliberation on his part.

"No, zero debate," he further added.

When the 2025 season started, Rodgers entered the league as the oldest quarterback until Phillip Rivers briefly unretired at age 44 to play a few games for the Indianapolis Colts.

Rodgers was contemplating retirement but chose to sign a one-year extension contract with the Steelers worth up to $25 million.

The sole purpose, as he clarified, was to reunite with his former coach, McCarthy. He played 13 seasons under the new Steelers head coach in Green Bay Packers and won Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

Rodgers had also said that this season would be his last on the Pat McAfee show last June. He had confirmed that he was "pretty sure" he would not play beyond the deal.

This upcoming season will be critical for Rodgers, McCarthy, and Pittsburgh as they look to make a championship push. NFL insider and Pittsburgh Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo says the coach and quarterback's successful history together will be key.

NFL insider weighs in on coach-QB bond as trump card.

NFL veteran Aaron Rodgers first played under Mike McCarthy way back in 2006, enjoying his greatest success as an NFL player under his direction. He gets to relive that experience yet again in 2026 in his final season.

As per The Post-Gazette, NFL insider Ray Fittipaldo writes that their prior connection will be crucial.

"Rodgers and McCarthy were together for 12-plus seasons with the Green Bay Packers," said Fittipaldo. "They were 125-77-2 as a duo, making the playoffs in nine of those seasons and winning Super Bowl XLV over the Steelers in 2011."

Now this legendary duo has again come together for one last crack at glory.

Do you think Aaron Rodgers can lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl in his final season?? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote