Aaron Rodgers, 42, undecided about playing in 2026
As his Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for Sunday's playoffs-or-bust clash with the rival Baltimore Ravens, Aaron Rodgers said he remains undecided about returning for a 22nd season in 2026.
Playing on a one-year contract this season, the four-time NFL MVP has posted his 15th season with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes.
If the Steelers (9-7) lose the battle for the AFC North title with the Ravens (8-8) on Sunday night in Pittsburgh, their season and potentially Rodgers' career will end.
"I'm thinking about this week, but obviously I'm 42 years old and I'm on a one-year deal," Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. "So you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. So that'll give me a lot of options if I still want to play. I mean, not a lot of options, but there'll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.
"I've enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field. And it's really what I was hoping for this experience was. It's been even better than I was hoping."
When Rodgers signed his one-year, $13.65 million deal in June, he told "The Pat McAfee Show" that he was "pretty sure" the 2025 campaign would be his last.
Six months later, Rodgers said he was grateful for his experience in Pittsburgh and the opportunity to play for head coach Mike Tomlin.
"You always think about the what-if and the alternative timelines of your life," Rodgers said. "But if I hadn't taken this path, I never would have met so many guys in the locker room who I now call close friends and wouldn't have the experiences and the memories on the field, wouldn't have been able to be in the room with Tom Arth again and Bake (Matt Baker) and be able to play for Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin. And I feel like there would be a little hole in my life missing without having this chapter. So I'm thankful for this time."
Rodgers ranks fourth in NFL history in passing touchdowns (526) and fifth in passing yards (65,980) heading into the Week 18 finale. His career passer rating of 102.3 ranks No. 1 all-time as does his 1.4% interception percentage.