Aaron Rodgers says he will retire after the 2026 NFL season: ‘This is it’

BREAKING NEWSMay. 20, 2026, 6:58 PM UTCNFLNFLAaron Rodgers says he will retire after the 2026 NFL season: ‘This is it’Entering his 22nd and final season, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback ranks fourth all-time in passing touchdowns and fifth in passing yards.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes the field prior to a game at Acrisure Stadium Pittsburgh in 2025.Justin Berl / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Andrew GreifFour-time NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers says he will retire after the upcoming season, ending a career that saw him become a fixture in the league for more than two decades.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Rodgers, 42, spent more than four months deciding whether to return for a 22nd NFL season before signing a one-year contract Monday to return to Pittsburgh for his second season with the Steelers. Asked Wednesday whether the upcoming season would be the last of his career, Rodgers told reporters, “Yes, this is it.” He will end his career with a Super Bowl title and ranked among the most prolific quarterbacks in the history of pro football. Rodgers ranks tied for first all-time in passer rating, fourth in passing touchdowns and fifth in passing yards.One year ago Rodgers had suggested the 2025 season could be his last, then helped Pittsburgh earn the AFC North division title and a playoff berth.Rodgers said he felt “some doubt” about returning for this season before deciding to re-sign with Pittsburgh after April’s NFL draft, according to ESPN. One factor in his decision was Pittsburgh’s new coach, Mike McCarthy, whom Rodgers had played for in Green Bay for 13 seasons. He finished the season with his highest completion percentage and passer rating since 2021 and 24 touchdowns, his fewest ever in a season in which he played at least 10 games.“I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh,” Rodgers told...