The four-time NFL MVP confirmed on Wednesday that his last season in the NFL will be the 2026 campaign, ending two decades of speculation about his future.
During a press conference in Pittsburgh, Rodgers stated plainly: “This is it, yep.”
Rodgers, now 42, has signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers to return for the 2026 season—marking his second stint with the team after joining as an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2025 campaign. This decision concludes Rodgers’ 22nd NFL season, a remarkable run for the quarterback drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2005.
The announcement follows Rodgers’ contemplation about his future after the Steelers’ playoff loss in January and the coaching change that led to Mike McCarthy being appointed head coach. Rodgers indicated he may have played a role in facilitating the Steelers’ decision to hire his former coach, creating a reunion for one final season.
For the Steelers, this move solidifies Rodgers as their starting quarterback for 2026, ending years of uncertainty around offensive leadership and providing a clear endpoint to the veteran’s NFL journey.
Rodgers previously won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers after the 2010 season and earned MVP honors four times, but has yet to claim his second championship. His return to Pittsburgh comes after an injury-plagued stint with the New York Jets in 2023, during which he suffered a torn Achilles injury minutes into his first game.
The decision reflects Rodgers’ long-standing pattern of controlling his career trajectory, including his choices to play on his own schedule and in specific locations. This season will be Rodgers’ final campaign in the NFL.