Aaron Rodgers' Steelers Career Could End Against Ravens

Aaron Rodgers is set to reach free agency this upcoming offseason, and at 42-years-old, this very well could be the end of the line for him no matter how, or when, the Pittsburgh Steelers' campaign ends.

If the team fails to get the job done in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens and thus cede control of the AFC North for good, however, their decision on Rodgers' future may become all the more easier.

There's definitely a world where the Steelers look to re-sign Rodgers should they topple the Ravens and head into the postseason. Should that outcome be flipped and Pittsburgh heads home early, the four-time MVP's final rodeo with the black and gold could be on full display at Acrisure Stadium this weekend.

Implications of Season Finale for Rodgers

Shortly after ending his three-month stint on the open market and inking a one-year deal with the Steelers in free agency, Rodgers made it clear that he fully intended on hanging up his spikes once the current season concluded.

"I'm pretty sure this is it. That's why we did the one-year deal," Rodgers said this past June on 'The Pat McAfee Show'. "The Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything. This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had."

That decision doesn't seem quite as finite as it once did, though, and thus the door appears to at the very least be cracked open regarding a potential final tour for Rodgers in 2026.

He has yet to properly address his future, but it doesn't feel like hyperbole to suggest that his chances of returning to the Steelers hinge on how he performs in a win-or-go-home scenario this week vs. Baltimore.

If Rodgers commands the offense and helps guide a quick turnaround after a poor showing against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 that ultimately ends in a victory over the Ravens, it's a safe bet that Pittsburgh will look to retain him should he play another year, as previously earlier.

On the flip side, if Pittsburgh endures a late-season collapse for the second campaign in a row that ends at the hands of Baltimore, the franchise may look to clean house and implement widespread changes that result in Rodgers either retiring or perhaps even playing elsewhere in 2026 if he doesn't retire.