Aaron Rodgers Announces Final Season in NFL for 2026
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| Rodgers confirms 2026 will be his last season |
The four-time MVP admitted there was doubt about returning, but said he is excited to finish his career in Pittsburgh with Mike McCarthy.
After 21 years, Rodgers will retire following the 2026 season with the Steelers, reuniting with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy...
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the 2026 season will be his final year in the NFL, capping a 21-year career.
The 42-year-old, four-time MVP told
reporters “this is it” at a press conference on Wednesday. The announcement came days after he signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers.
Rodgers won the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and spent 18 seasons in Wisconsin before moving to the New York Jets in 2023.
He joined the Steelers in 2025 and led them to the playoffs, where they lost to the Houston Texans. The move also reunites him with former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over in Pittsburgh in January after Mike Tomlin stepped down following the team’s wild card exit.
Rodgers on reuniting with McCarthy
“There's definitely a full-circle aspect to it that piqued my interest,” the 42-year-old Rodgers said about playing for McCarthy again.
Rodgers acknowledged that there was “some doubt for sure” about whether he would come back for a 22nd season.
“But I had a good conversation with Mike going back to when he was hired and it's nice to come back.
“It felt different than last year, because I knew some of the guys and some of the people who work here and stuff, so it felt good coming in.”
History with McCarthy in Green Bay
Rodgers spent most of his career working with McCarthy in Green Bay, where they won a Super Bowl together in 2011. That win came against the Steelers.
Questions after playoff loss
Rodgers's future was uncertain after Pittsburgh's playoff exit in January. The veteran quarterback was sacked four times and completed only 17 passes in a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans.
Aaron Rodgers officially announces that he will retire after the 2026 NFL season pic.twitter.com/gauFgSWGbx
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 20, 2026
Speculation grew after McCarthy hire
Speculation about Rodgers returning increased after the Steelers hired McCarthy. The coach had been open about wanting Rodgers to keep playing.
McCarthy reacts to Rodgers’ return
On Wednesday, McCarthy said everyone around the Steelers was “extremely excited” once Rodgers confirmed he was coming back.
“I think that speaks for itself and speaks volumes of what he's established in just his short time here,” the coach said.
The California native has won four MVP awards and earned 10 Pro Bowl selections.
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