Aaron Rodgers has confirmed he will retire from professional American football at the conclusion of the 2026 season, ending a 22-year career that includes a Super Bowl title and multiple MVP awards. The 42-year-old quarterback, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, made the announcement during a press conference on 20 May, calling his final season a 'full circle' moment as he reunites with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
Rodgers revealed that his decision to return for one more season was swayed by McCarthy’s appointment as Steelers head coach, stating that he had previously thought his time in Pittsburgh was over. He signed a one-year contract worth $25 million with the Steelers last week, after lengthy discussions with his coach, general manager Omar Khan and his wife. 'I had a lot of conversations with Mike, [Omar], for a while,' he said. 'And you know, had a lot of conversations with my wife about it, after the draft came to the conclusion that I wanted to play.'
The quarterback’s wife remains a mystery to fans, as she is a private individual without social media. Rodgers, who married her in 2025, has not disclosed her name. He described her as 'the most incredible wife' and credited her unconditional support as a key factor in his ability to continue playing. 'When you have that stability and that rock behind you at the house, you feel like you can do anything,' he said at a training camp last July.
Rodgers began his NFL career with the Packers in 2005, spending 13 seasons there and winning a Super Bowl championship and the game’s MVP honour. He later played for the New York Jets in 2023-24 before joining the Steelers in 2025. Last year, he told Pat McAfee that 2025 was likely his last season, but the one-year deal with Pittsburgh allowed him to reassess. Now, he has confirmed that 2026 will definitely be the end.
