Sports

Aaron Rodgers Announces 2026 NFL Season Will Be His Last

Aaron Rodgers has made it official.

The 42-year-old NFL quarterback announced on Wednesday, May 20, that the 2026 NFL regular season will be his final one in the league. Rodgers has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will play out the final year of his career in Pittsburgh, under former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Rodgers responded "yes" on Wednesday when asked by reporters if the 2026 season will be his final one, according to ESPN insider Brooke Pryor.

Rodgers, a first round pick out of Cal in 2005, is entering Year 2 with Pittsburgh. He spent 2005-22 with the Green Bay Packers, before playing for the New York Jets in 2023 and '24. Rodgers is a four-time MVP and a one-time Super Bowl winner.

The future Pro Football Hall of Famer officially agreed to his Steelers contract on Monday, May 18.

Steelers officially announced Rodgers signing

The Steelers are happy to have him back.

"The Steelers signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year contract. Rodgers originally signed with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and is back for his second season in black and gold. Rodgers started all 16 games he appeared in during the 2025 season, missing one game due to injury. He completed 327 of 498 passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He was voted the team's offensive captain right off the bat, a role he was at home in as he led the offense on and off the field," the team announced.

"In 21 seasons, he has appeared in 264 games, starting 257 of them. He has completed 5,696 of 8,743 passes for 66,274 yards and 527 touchdowns. Rodgers was named Associated Press Most Valuable Player four times in his career, joining Peyton Manning (five) as the only players to win the honor four or more times. He was selected First-Team Associated Press All-Pro four times (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021) and Second-Team AP All-Pro once (2012). He is also a 10-time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021), which is tied for fifth-most by a quarterback. Rodgers was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV when he completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Steelers."

Rodgers and the Steelers will look to make his final NFL season a good one.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM.

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