Aaron Rodgers will turn 43 in December and in a game as physically punishing as American football, he has done very well to make it to that age and still be in a position to choose whether he continues playing or not. But nobody can go on forever.
Tom Brady made it to 45 and finally called it a day in 2023, having previously announcing his retirement after 22 seasons, then, in February 2022. Brady, who many consider to be the sport’s GOAT, certainly in terms of quarterbacks, changed his mind after just 40 days. Like Brady, Rodgers has flirted with retirement before, saying that he would probably call it a day after the 2025 season.
However he changed his mind and decided to sign on for one more year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the chance to play under incoming head coach Mike McCarthy seemingly playing a role in his decision. The two spent a long time together and enjoyed great success at the Green Bay Packers and the chance for one last dance with his old boss proved impossible to resist for the QB.
Not long after joining he made it clear that he would definitely be quitting the sport after the 2026 season. However, having said he would be retiring before, and given the long history across multiple sports of players being tempted to return, journalists were still asking the four-time NFL MVP whether there was any chance of him changing his mind.
In late July (2026) he once again reiterated that this was really it this time. He said that he genuinely thought there was a strong chance he would have quit a year earlier, but that the appointment of McCarthy, plus his wife’s blessing, changed that. When pushed about the possibility of once again deciding to prolong his lengthy career beyond 2026, he said there was no chance – “zero debate”. He seemed entirely at peace with his decision and very calm, completely happy that one more season would be the right time to go.
Breaking: Aaron Rodgers told reporters he will retire after this upcoming season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. pic.twitter.com/FsoqpUQhM6
— ESPN (@espn) May 20, 2026
Could Rodgers Get the Fairytale Ending?
In the comic-book version of events, the wily old quarterback fights off injury and the aches of middle age to deliver one final amazing season. Teamed up with his old coach, the pair hit the old heights and drag the Steelers to a record-breaking seventh Super Bowl triumph. But in sport, even legends rarely get to choose exactly how they bow out.
Tiger Woods did not want his golf career to fizzle out as it did. Novak Djokovic desperately craves the record 25th Grand Slam. Even Usain Bolt had to settle for bronze at the 2017 World Championships before suffering a hamstring injury and falling over as he tried to bring home the final leg in the 4x100m relay.
The reality is that Rodgers is unlikely to win a second Super Bowl ring. Whether he can somehow rediscover his best football at the age of 42 is doubtful. But even if he did, the Steelers just don’t have the players to back him up.
This view is reflected in the bookmakers’ odds for Super Bowl LXI. The showpiece game is a long way off, not scheduled to take place until the 14th of February 2027. Indeed, the 2026 season does not even start until the 9th of September, so it is early days to be making any bold predictions. That said, the LA Rams are warm favourites at 6/1, with several franchises priced between 11/1 (the Bills) and 20/1 (the 49ers, Detroit and Houston).
In contrast, Rodgers’ Steelers are way out at 80/1. Nine sides are deemed even less likely to go all the way than they are, but it would rank as a major surprise if they to make the later stages of the play-offs, let alone the Super Bowl. And an even bigger shock if they to actually win the damn thing!
Rodgers’ Status as a Great Is Assured
Nobody knows how 2026 is going to play out for Rodgers and the Steelers but no matter what, the California-born star is sure to go down as one of the greats. His only Super Bowl success came in 2011 (2010 season), when the Packers, coached by McCarthy beat … the Steelers! It was a thriller too, Green Bay winning 31-25, with Rodgers throwing for three touchdowns and over 300 yards.
He was named the MVP for that game and the NFL’s MVP in 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021. He boasts so many individual honours and awards, including being named in the All-Decade Team for the 2010s. His 2011 season was perhaps the most impressive on record, with his passer rating of 122.5 the highest of any quarterback in history with at least 100 attempts. He also boasts the highest rating over the course of his career at 102.2, though that will change.
His 2020 season was also incredible, seeing him post a record number of games rated 100+ (14) and also 120+ (10). Over the course of his career he is tied with Drew Brees for the most seasons rated 100+ (nine), while he leads the way in 120+ seasons, having achieved that crazy figure twice. His list of records goes on and on, so whether this is his last campaign or not, his place in history is assured.