Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Speaks On Playing Future, Retirement

Aaron Rodgers Could Delay Retirement, Play One More Season In 2026

The present-day version of Aaron Rodgers is not the same as the All-Pro who terrorized defenses throughout the 2010s, but he’s still a starting-caliber quarterback. Through his 15 healthy games, the 10-time Pro Bowl selection has completed 65.6% of his passes for 3,028 yards, 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while guiding the club to a 9-6 record (Mason Rudolph filled in for one game and lost his lone start of the season).

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a way to easily slip into retirement, so the team is under no obligation to bring him back in 2026. However, it’s safe to assume Pittsburgh would welcome a reunion. Even though he’s not the dominant quarterback he once was, Rodgers is still the best quarterback this team has had since Ben Roethlisberger hurt his arm all those years ago, and the team has no realistic path to upgrade the position.

Draft experts predict this will be a weak quarterback class, and Pittsburgh likely won’t have the picks required to land a Day 1 starter. The team could still select a quarterback next year, but it would probably be best to keep that player on the bench and let Rodgers handle starting duties in 2026.

Other Team Fits

For the sake of argument, let’s say the Rodgers and the Steelers do not run it back for the 2026 season. While this would be a surprising development, it wouldn’t mean Aaron Rodgers would embrace retirement. There aren’t enough good quarterbacks to go around, and the one-time Super Bowl MVP could probably latch on with another organization.

The best theoretical fit for Rodgers would be the Minnesota Vikings. The J.J. McCarthy Era has not gone according to plan, as the Michigan product’s overall body of work leaves a lot to be desired, and he cannot stay on the field. Rodgers and the Vikings were connected throughout the offseason before he signed with the Steelers, and perhaps the two sides can finally unite in 2026.

The only question is whether or not Minnesota will completely give up on McCarthy. After all, he is a first-round pick, and he played well in the two games before his most recent injury. Bringing in a veteran for competition would be a good idea, but Rodgers will not accept life as a backup. If the Vikings are truly out on McCarthy, a Rodgers signing makes all the sense in the world. However, if they still believe he can be a franchise quarterback, they’ll likely pursue someone like Marcus Mariota.