Aaron Rodgers Enters His Final NFL Season: A Look Back at a Legendary, Complicated Career
Aaron Rodgers is entering his final NFL season, and if you know anything about his career, you already know it wouldn't be simple. The quarterback kicked things off this season at home against the Atlanta Falcons, and while most future Hall of Famers get some kind of farewell tour on their way out, Rodgers has never really done anything the normal way.
Part of that comes down to the league itself. The NFL doesn't tend to give players big send-offs, mostly because most careers don't get to end on the player's own terms. Most guys are out of the league long before they're ready to be. Rodgers, who turns 43 this season, is one of the rare ones actually walking away when he wants to, even if that timeline has shifted before.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Whatever you think of Rodgers off the field, his on-field resume speaks for itself. He's a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, and he sits inside the top five all-time in nearly every major passing category. He currently ranks fifth all-time in passing yards, behind Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre, with Matthew Stafford now within striking distance of passing him. Rodgers also sits fourth all-time in passing touchdowns with 527, and a 13th touchdown this season would move him past Manning.
He's also managed to stick around longer than almost anyone at the position. Manning retired after his age-39 season. Elway, Montana, Marino, and Young all walked away after age 38. Brees was hanging on by the end of his age-41 year. Only Brady, who played at an elite level all the way through age 45, has matched what Rodgers has done in terms of longevity.
More Than Just Football
Rodgers has never been just about what happens between the lines. He's been just as known for his outspoken commentary off the field, often sharing strong opinions on everything from league coverage to outside topics that have nothing to do with football. Love him or not, it's part of what's made his career impossible to ignore.
A Tough Road With the Steelers
On the field, Rodgers and the Steelers have real work ahead of them if they want to make noise in 2026. Pittsburgh has struggled to get over the hump in the playoffs, and the team hasn't won a postseason game since the 2016 season. They're also the only team to lose five straight playoff games by double digits.
Now Rodgers is paired with new head coach Mike McCarthy after Mike Tomlin's departure, and it's fair to wonder how much that changes things. Rodgers is no longer the top-tier quarterback he once was, and expectations for Pittsburgh's win total this year are modest.
One Last Ride
However this season plays out, it's shaping up to be a memorable one. One more year of Rodgers slinging it downfield, one more year of headline-grabbing moments, and one more chance for him to do something no quarterback has ever done before, for better or worse.
Whatever happens, this is a farewell season worth watching from start to finish.
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