Aaron Rodgers has confirmed that the 2026 season will be his final year in the NFL. The 42-year-old four-time MVP made the announcement during his first public comments since signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. "This is it," Rodgers stated without elaborating on his decision to retire after 22 seasons.

Rodgers arrived in Pittsburgh following two disappointing years with the New York Jets, which included a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into his debut. His return reunites him with Mike McCarthy, the first-year Steelers coach with whom he spent 13 seasons in Green Bay and won a Super Bowl after the 2010 season.

The reunion with McCarthy proved crucial in Rodgers' decision to return for one final season. "It is like a bunch of 'pinch me' moments that have happened in the last few days," he said following Pittsburgh's voluntary team activities. Rodgers hopes for the rare opportunity to dictate his own terms on how he exits the league.