Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears to be closing the chapter on his storied NFL career, confirming on The Pat McAfee Show that the 2025 season is likely to be his last. Now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal earlier this offseason. The 41-year-old emphasized that the decision to keep it to a single season wasn’t accidental—it reflects his belief that he’s nearing the end of his journey in professional football.
“I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we did the one-year deal,” Rodgers said during his appearance on the show, as quoted by Sports Illustrated. “Steelers didn’t need to add more years. This was really about finishing with love, fun, and peace for the career that I’ve had.”
If 2025 is indeed Rodgers’ swan song, it will cap off an illustrious two-decade career in the NFL that includes one Super Bowl title and four league MVP awards. After a legendary tenure with the Green Bay Packers and a controversial and injury-shortened stint with the New York Jets, Rodgers is now aiming to bring closure to his professional life on a more peaceful and reflective note in Pittsburgh.
In the same interview, Rodgers also revealed a deeply personal update: he recently married a woman named Brittani. While the announcement should have been a joyous moment, Rodgers took the opportunity to air his frustration about the invasive scrutiny from the media regarding his private life. “My private life is my private life and it’s going to stay that way,” Rodgers declared. “I’m with somebody who wants to be private. If and when she wants to be out there, she’ll decide that.”
The quarterback condemned the paparazzi and media outlets that have intruded on his personal affairs, calling the entitlement to his private life “(expletive) ridiculous and embarrassing.” Despite his status as one of the NFL’s most prominent stars, Rodgers insists he still deserves boundaries when it comes to his home life and relationships.
Rodgers has never shied away from controversy. Over the years, he has been a lightning rod for criticism, whether for his handling of COVID-19 vaccine questions, his jabs at late-night hosts, or his ambiguous comments about injuries and retirement. These controversies, coupled with his sometimes aloof media presence, have led to a significant portion of NFL fans viewing him in a negative light. In fact, a 2024 survey conducted by The Action Network found that 27% of over 3,000 respondents considered Rodgers the “most annoying” player in the league.
While his playing days are almost certainly numbered, Rodgers remains a prominent and polarizing figure in the NFL landscape. Whether fans love or loathe him, his departure will mark the end of an era. For Rodgers, however, it’s not about fanfare or controversy anymore—it’s about finishing his career on his terms, surrounded by “love, fun, and peace.”
