Aaron Rodgers Announces Final Season in the NFL

Aaron Rodgers has kept the Pittsburgh Steelers uncertain for months this offseason, with the team unsure if he would play in 2026. However, the Steelers received clarity on Wednesday when Rodgers announced that 2026 would be his final NFL season.

During a press conference, a reporter asked Rodgers, “Aaron, do you believe this could be your last year or do you think about that right now?” to which Rodgers answered with a simple, “Yes.” When another reporter clarified, “As in your last year?” Rodgers confirmed, “This is it, yep,” responding solemnly.

Rodgers’ Legacy

Aaron Rodgers is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. His accomplishments include an impressive list: 10 Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections, four league MVP awards, a Super Bowl championship, and a Super Bowl MVP title. He has also led the NFL in passer rating four times and touchdown passes twice. Furthermore, he belongs to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

Rodgers holds numerous NFL records, including the highest career passer rating at 102.2, the best career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4.3-1, the lowest career interception percentage at 1.4%, the highest single-season passer rating at 122.5, and the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 402. Additionally, he ranks fifth all-time in passing yards with 66,274 and fourth in touchdown passes with 527. He might surpass Peyton Manning’s 539 for third all-time by the end of next season.

Off-Field Incidents

While Rodgers’ on-field achievements are noteworthy, many fans will remember him for off-field matters:

• Participation in Ayahuasca retreats.
• His public opposition to the COVID vaccine and contracting COVID after claiming to be immunized.
• Being fined by the NFL for attending a Halloween event while unvaccinated.
• Legal threats over comments on Jimmy Kimmel’s alleged involvement in the Epstein files.
• Claims of being considered as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
• Personal critiques from former partners Danica Patrick and Shailene Woodley.
• Public estrangement from his family highlighted on “The Bachelorette.”

For Rodgers, media attention in his later career years often focused on these off-field controversies rather than his performance on the gridiron, which will likely impact his legacy.