You’d think by now we’d be used to the Aaron Rodgers offseason dance. It’s practically an NFL tradition at this point, right up there with Thanksgiving games and questionable officiating calls. But here we are again, staring down the barrel of another “will he or won’t he” saga as the 2025 season wraps up.
Rodgers, now 42 and wrapping up a one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is doing that thing he does best—keeping everyone on their toes.
The “I’m Just Focused On This Week” Classic
When asked about his future beyond Sunday’s clash with the Ravens, Rodgers gave us the classic veteran deflection. “I’m thinking about this week,” he told reporters. Sure, Aaron. We believe you.
But then he cracked the door open just a sliver. “Obviously, I’m 42 years old, and I’m on a one-year deal… Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent. So that’ll give me a lot of options if I still want to play.”
And then, the kicker: “Maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.”
One or two options? That is specific enough to make you wonder if he’s already got a couple of general managers on speed dial. It’s a far cry from his earlier “this is probably it” vibes from last summer.
Pittsburgh: A Love Story Or a Fling?
To his credit, Rodgers has been nothing but complimentary about his time in the Steel City. He’s praised the fans, the organization, and the locker room. “I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me,” he said.
But here’s the rub: usually, when a guy loves a place and plans to come back, he says, “I want to be back.” Rodgers didn’t say that. He said he enjoyed the experience. That sounds a lot like a guy reviewing a nice Airbnb he has no intention of booking again.
The Steelers, for their part, might be hoping he sticks around. With a quarterback draft class looking thinner than expected in 2026, keeping a guy who threw 23 touchdowns and kept interceptions in the single digits isn’t the worst Plan B.
The Benjamin Button Factor
Rodgers joked about feeling like Benjamin Button recently, and honestly, he hasn’t looked his age on the field. He’s healthy, he’s effective, and he’s clearly still having fun. But the NFL is a young man’s game, and Father Time remains undefeated.
If the Steelers lose on Sunday, we might be watching the final snaps of one of the greatest to ever do it. Or, knowing Rodgers, we might just be watching the prequel to a very interesting offseason.
