Aaron Rodgers almost didn't come back. When Mike Tomlin stepped down, the four-time MVP really thought his time in Pittsburgh was over. While the hiring of Mike McCarthy changed his mind, Rodgers is still going into 2026 intending for his 22nd NFL season to also be the final one of his illustrious career.
"Yes," Rodgers said Wednesday afternoon when asked if this would be his final season. "This is it."
Tomlin was the primary reason Rodgers signed with the Steelers in 2025. The day he stepped down, Rodgers said he was emotional, as were all the players. In addition, the attrition of 17 total games (16 regular season, one playoff) took its toll. Rodgers needed time to not only let his wrist heal, which had multiple fractures, but see how his body recovered and if he was going to be able to put his body through that all over again, only being one year older.
"There was some doubt, for sure," Rodgers said.
But when the Steelers hired McCarthy to be the new head coach, reuniting with his former coach of 13 seasons was intriguing. The two had consistent communication from the time McCarthy was hired. Ultimately, Rodgers made his decision to return after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, and has been in the Pittsburgh area since early May.
Now that he's here, intentional or not, Rodgers has an opportunity to have a storybook ending to his career. Reuniting with McCarthy is part of that, which has manifested itself already.
"It's surreal. Honestly, sitting in the first eight o'clock meeting on Monday, took me back to being a 22-year-old kid, sitting in Green Bay listening to Mike's first meeting in 2006," Rodgers said. "So, it's fun. It's like pinch me moments have been happening the last few days. Getting to sit next to James Campen in the meetings is fun. Jahri Evans was a teammate of mine, and he's on the staff now, should be a Hall of Famer, so that's pretty cool, too."
While all the connections are a fun side story, Rodgers wouldn't be back unless he thought he had a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl. Rodgers is as competitive as any player in the history of this game.
While he'd love to go out on top as a champion, that can't be done right now. So, Rodgers isn't about to make any proclamations about where the 2026 team is heading.
"It's Day 3 ... You have to temper expectations this time of year," Rodgers said. "But I am excited about these guys, I'm excited about the team. It's fun to be back in the locker room with these guys."
THE ASYLUM
Rodgers on 2026: ‘This is it’
Aaron Rodgers almost didn't come back. When Mike Tomlin stepped down, the four-time MVP really thought his time in Pittsburgh was over. While the hiring of Mike McCarthy changed his mind, Rodgers is still going into 2026 intending for his 22nd NFL season to also be the final one of his illustrious career.
"Yes," Rodgers said Wednesday afternoon when asked if this would be his final season. "This is it."
Tomlin was the primary reason Rodgers signed with the Steelers in 2025. The day he stepped down, Rodgers said he was emotional, as were all the players. In addition, the attrition of 17 total games (16 regular season, one playoff) took its toll. Rodgers needed time to not only let his wrist heal, which had multiple fractures, but see how his body recovered and if he was going to be able to put his body through that all over again, only being one year older.
"There was some doubt, for sure," Rodgers said.
But when the Steelers hired McCarthy to be the new head coach, reuniting with his former coach of 13 seasons was intriguing. The two had consistent communication from the time McCarthy was hired. Ultimately, Rodgers made his decision to return after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, and has been in the Pittsburgh area since early May.
Now that he's here, intentional or not, Rodgers has an opportunity to have a storybook ending to his career. Reuniting with McCarthy is part of that, which has manifested itself already.
"It's surreal. Honestly, sitting in the first eight o'clock meeting on Monday, took me back to being a 22-year-old kid, sitting in Green Bay listening to Mike's first meeting in 2006," Rodgers said. "So, it's fun. It's like pinch me moments have been happening the last few days. Getting to sit next to James Campen in the meetings is fun. Jahri Evans was a teammate of mine, and he's on the staff now, should be a Hall of Famer, so that's pretty cool, too."
While all the connections are a fun side story, Rodgers wouldn't be back unless he thought he had a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl. Rodgers is as competitive as any player in the history of this game.
While he'd love to go out on top as a champion, that can't be done right now. So, Rodgers isn't about to make any proclamations about where the 2026 team is heading.
"It's Day 3 ... You have to temper expectations this time of year," Rodgers said. "But I am excited about these guys, I'm excited about the team. It's fun to be back in the locker room with these guys."
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