Aaron Rodgers gives definitive answer on future plans after 2026

As things stand right now, Aaron Rodgers plans on the 2026 campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers being his last in the NFL.

According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, Rodgers said “yes” when asked if this will be his last year in the NFL.

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“Yes. This is it,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers also noted that he believed his time in Pittsburgh was over once former head coach Mike Tomlin resigned.

However, after the hire of his former and now-current head coach, Mike McCarthy, Rodgers began considering a return to the Steelers.

“I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh (when Tomlin resigned). But when the decision was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back,” Rodgers said.

Aaron Rodgers’ 2026 outlook

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

There isn’t much hype surrounding Rodgers’ return to the Steelers.

Granted, he was no doubt the Steelers’ best option in terms of what was available, but after a 10-7 campaign in 2025 that once again saw the Steelers bounced in the wild-card round, the feeling is that’s probably Pittsburgh’s ceiling once again.

That said, there is reason for increased optimism.

The Steelers made a key addition this offseason with the trade for Michael Pittman Jr., who was acquired from the Indianapolis Colts.

That gives Rodgers a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver opposite DK Metcalf, something the team didn’t have in 2025, which no doubt hurt the offense.

If the Steelers want to finally win a playoff game and take a step forward in 2026, the offense needs to be better.

Steelers’ uncertain future at quarterback

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With Rodgers set to retire after this season, the Steelers will once again have a major question mark at quarterback in 2027.

Perhaps 2025 draft pick Will Howard or 2026 draft pick Drew Allar will prove to be “the guy” in Pittsburgh, but the jury is still out on both for now.

And it’s going to be hard to evaluate either one fully this year, as neither Howard nor Allar will see the field as long as Rodgers is healthy and the Steelers are contending for a playoff spot.

The good news for Pittsburgh is the 2027 NFL Draft is expected to be much stronger at the quarterback position, so the Steelers will have a need at the right time.

The problem is that Pittsburgh will likely at least be good enough to finish with a draft pick in the middle of the first round, which would put them out of range of some of the top signal-callers, which is an all-too-familiar position for the Steelers..

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