It took months for Aaron Rodgers to officially make the decision that he wanted to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Even before he was released by the New York Jets, the future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback was not exactly sure if he wanted to play a 21st NFL season. Of course, this flirtation with retirement has become an annual tradition for Rodgers, as it does with every aging NFL star.
But, as everyone is well aware, he did decide that he wanted to play in 2025, and so he signed with Pittsburgh, the only team he visited in free agency, and the only team that was seriously interested in adding him to their roster.
This all being said, there likely will not be any waiting games next offseason, as the four-time NFL MVP told the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that 2025 is [probably] going to be his last.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Says 2025 Is Likely His Last NFL Season
When asked by McAfee if he thought 2025 was going to be his final NFL season, Rodgers replied, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had.
“I played 20 fricking years. It’s been a long run. I’ve enjoyed it, and no better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys in the city that expects you to win.”
Rodgers spent the first 18 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won four MVP Awards and a Super Bowl. He then spent the last two seasons in New York, though his time there was marred by injuries and unsavory reports about the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
NFL Fans Hope Aaron Rodgers Keeps His Promise to Disappear After Retirement
Indeed, Rodgers has become a polarizing figure among NFL fans and analysts due to his unconventional opinions and tendency to speak his truth unapologetically.
And while many fans have accused the four-time MVP of seeking the spotlight, that is not something Rodgers claims he will looking for once he retires.
“I don’t want the attention — I know that’s a narrative out there,” Rodgers said. “When this is all done, it’s Keyser Söze. You won’t see me. I won’t be in the public. I don’t want to live a public life. That’s why it’s so strange, what’s going on right now in my private life, because I don’t want to live a life in the public eye. I’m not gonna be in the public eye. When this is done, I’m done. You won’t see me, and I’m looking forward to that.”
And fans had something to say about these comments:
Promise? 🙏🏻 https://t.co/3j7VPHVBqF
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) June 24, 2025
Promise? https://t.co/xfalmK3ros
— BearsBeat.com (@bearsbeat) June 25, 2025
Nobody cares bro https://t.co/wcj3TbM1kb
— One Band One Sound (@fakndafunk) June 25, 2025
I’ll take “Statements that couldn’t be further from the truth for $1000”, Aaron. https://t.co/TZY5Ank3Zk
— MetalMitchell (@metalmitchell78) June 24, 2025
Rodgers does tend to disappear in the offseason, only popping up as guests on podcasts when he wants to. It stands to reason he will live a similar existence in retirement. That being said, he does also seem to love being in the middle of things, and it is equally reasonable to expect he will not fall completely off the face of the earth.
More Pittsburgh Steelers News from Gridiron Heroics
- “Finally that Old Man Can Retire;” NFL Fans React to Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 Announcement
- “Wasn’t the Season I Wanted;” Steelers Pro Bowler Opens Up About Rough 1st Season
- Aaron Rodgers’ Personality “Pleasantly” Surprises New Teammates
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