Ben Roethlisberger predicts 2025 season ‘might be it’ for Aaron Rodgers

Now age 41, Aaron Rodgers is getting ready for his 21st season in the NFL after signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the eyes of Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger, it could be his last.

Roethlisberger predicted the 2025 season would be the final year for Rodgers in the NFL. He didn’t have a reason to confirm that, but looking at the recent history of injuries – notably an Achilles tear that cost Rodgers his 2023 campaign – he could see this being the veteran quarterback’s final go-round.

Roethlisberger pointed to his injury history after he suffered an elbow injury that required surgery. He thought he was back to full strength right away, but later realized he wasn’t and retired two years after. He expects that to be the case with Rodgers two years removed from the Achilles injury.

“I don’t think he’s got much more after this year,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin’ podcast. “I think this might be it for him, personally – I have no reason. You could ask, well, how do I know? I don’t know. I’m just guessing in terms of, you’re coming off an Achilles. Coming off my elbow, my first year back I felt like I was 100 [percent]. You don’t realize you’re not 100 until the next year when you are 100. I was like, wait a second. Oh, I wasn’t there. … This year, he’s going to be better, in the sense of body feeling better. It doesn’t mean he’ll play better. There’s a lot of other factors on that.

“But he’s going to feel better. It doesn’t mean that he’s going to have two or three years left. I think this might be his last go.”

The Steelers pursued Aaron Rodgers for much of the offseason before he ultimately signed a one-year contract ahead of mandatory minicamp. The deal is worth $13.65 million and $10 million guaranteed, but he has incentives in the deal that could take it up to $19.5 million.

Rodgers spent the last two years with the New York Jets after coming over from the Green Bay Packers, though his first season in New York ended on his first drive due to an Achilles injury. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024, marking two straight full seasons with at least 10 picks.

Rodgers will now join a quarterback room that includes Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard. He will make his Steelers debut in Week 1 against his former team, the Jets.