Aaron Rodgers has announced that the 2026 NFL season will be his last, marking the end of his legendary career. The 42-year-old made the announcement during a press conference, citing a desire to spend time with family and navigate his post-career life.
Tom Brady, who retired two years earlier at 45, reflected on his own retirement struggles, noting that it's 'hard to give up' football, especially for elite quarterbacks. Brady pointed out that Rodgers' situation is different, as he doesn't have kids and is trying to decide what to do after his playing career.
Rodgers originally expected to retire after Mike Tomlin stepped down as Steelers coach, but the hiring of Mike McCarthy, his former coach in Green Bay, convinced him to return for one final season. Despite his decline in mobility, Rodgers still produced solid numbers in Pittsburgh, helping the team win the AFC North title in 2025.
With a Hall of Fame résumé that includes four NFL MVP awards, 10 Pro Bowl selections, and one Super Bowl championship, Rodgers will close his career as one of the NFL's all-time greats. He currently ranks fifth all-time in passing yards and fourth all-time in touchdown passes.
