Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has strongly indicated that the upcoming 2025 NFL season will likely mark the conclusion of his storied career. The 41-year-old veteran made the revelation during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, stating he’s “pretty sure this is it.”
Rodgers explained that this sentiment directly influenced his recent contract with the Steelers. He noted the team didn’t need to add extra years to the deal because the focus is on finishing his extensive playing career.
Choosing Pittsburgh to Finish
After 20 seasons in the league, Rodgers expressed a desire to conclude his journey “with a lot of love and fun and peace.” He highlighted the Pittsburgh Steelers as an ideal setting for this final chapter.
Calling the Steelers “one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL,” Rodgers praised head coach Mike Tomlin, the team’s leadership, and his new teammates. He also acknowledged the city of Pittsburgh’s high expectations for winning as a fitting environment to potentially wrap up his career.
During his first mandatory minicamp with the team, Rodgers elaborated on his motivation, emphasizing that he is still playing because it’s what he genuinely wants to do, not out of ego. He described the decision to join the Steelers as one that was “best for my soul,” contrasting it with choices made purely from an ego standpoint, which he finds unfulfilling.
A Hall of Fame Career Nearing Its End
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion, was drafted 24th overall in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers, where he spent 18 seasons before moving to the New York Jets in 2023. He led the Packers to victory over the Steelers in their last Super Bowl appearance on February 6, 2011.
His career boasts numerous accolades and high rankings among the league’s all-time greats, including:
First all-time in quarterback rating (102.6)
First all-time in touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.34)
Fifth in passing touchdowns (503)
Seventh in passing yards (62,952)
With such a decorated history, there’s little left for Rodgers to prove on the field beyond potentially chasing another Lombardi Trophy.
Recent Challenges and Steelers Expectations
Rodgers is coming off two challenging seasons with the Jets. His 2023 campaign ended abruptly after just four plays due to a torn Achilles tendon. He returned for the entire 2024 season, throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions with a 63% completion rate and a 90.5 passer rating – his lowest in any season starting at least seven games.
Despite the recent injury and performance dip, the Steelers signed Rodgers to a one-year deal reportedly worth between $13.6 and $13.7 million in June, expecting him to be their starting quarterback for 2025. This move followed months of speculation and some mixed reactions among fans and former players, including Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw, who expressed reservations about Rodgers joining the team.
For the Steelers, who finished the 2024 season with a 10-7 record and lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens, the hope is that Rodgers can provide a veteran presence and high-level play for a Super Bowl push. However, questions linger regarding the physical condition of the 41-year-old quarterback two years removed from a major Achilles injury, specifically his mobility and footwork in the pocket.
Looking ahead, Rodgers will likely face his most recent team, the New York Jets, in the 2025 season opener on September 7th at MetLife Stadium, and will host his former team, the Green Bay Packers, in Pittsburgh on October 26th. Betting markets currently place his passing yards over/under for the season around 3250.5 yards, with the Steelers’ win total over/under set just above nine wins.
While Rodgers stopped short of an absolute guarantee of retirement, his comments make it clear that he is approaching the 2025 campaign as the probable grand finale to his remarkable NFL career.
