Rodgers said in July that he was “pretty sure” he would retire following the 2025 campaign.
But ahead of Pittsburgh’s regular-season finale, he left the door ajar, noting he is on a one-year deal and would have options if his career continued.
Whether it does or not will ultimately be the big question, and Rodgers, a great but mercurial talent, has taken his time before.
He didn’t sign with the Steelers last offseason until June 5. His partnership with the club since has delivered the desired results, even with a rough spot in the middle of this season.
Pittsburgh started 4-1 and, after trending downward all the way to .500 at 6-6 in Week 13, rebounded to win its first AFC North title since 2020. Rodgers obviously played a major role in clinching the division. He threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions for a 94.8 passer rating, and his veteran presence helped the Steelers navigate through the rough patches. In doing so, he had something to play for late in the year for the first time in several campaigns, and Monday’s matchup with the Texans will mark his first playoff game since the 2021 season.
He’s still showed his age (certainly compared to his otherworldly peak), the offense could use another pass catcher or two and the Steelers need to get back to playing great defense, but Year 1 of the Rodgers-Steelers relationship has undoubtedly been successful. It’s why Pittsburgh would like to run it back.
Of course, such decisions will have to wait.
At the moment, all eyes are on finding a way past Houston.
