Overview
- Rodgers said Saturday that he was “99% sure” he would retire before the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, and those conversations with McCarthy convinced him to return for one more year.
- He has publicly confirmed he will not play after the 2026 season and described this year as a planned farewell for his 22nd NFL season.
- Rodgers credited his wife for persuading him to come back and said she helped him reopen lines with his parents and brother during a recent long weekend in Nashville.
- Pittsburgh enters the season hoping the veteran quarterback can push the team deeper into the playoffs after a 10–7, AFC North-winning 2025 campaign and will rely on receivers D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
- Rodgers arrives at the opener on Sept. 13 carrying the context of his 2025 performance, his age and past wrist injury, factors that shape how fans and analysts will judge his final-year legacy and the Steelers' short-term outlook.