Aaron Rodgers hints that retirement decision may already be made ahead of Lamar Jackson duel

As a new year begins, Aaron Rodgers knows his time is almost over.

He’s a 42-year-old quarterback, which is ancient in NFL years.

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And while the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the final week of the regular season battling for the AFC North crown, Rodgers is considering his future — on and off the field.

When will Rodgers make retirement decision?

“I’m thinking about this week, but obviously I’m 42 years old and I’m on a one-year deal,” Rodgers told reporters.

“You know what the situation is. 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. I mean, not a lot of options, but there’ll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.”

That’s the big question that Rodgers must answer: Whether he still wants to play in the NFL after 21 seasons, four MVPs and one Super Bowl trophy.

“I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field,” Rodgers said.

“It’s really what I was hoping for this experience was, it’s been even better than I was hoping.”

A win on Sunday Night Football will immediately propel the Steelers (9-7) into the playoffs.

A Steelers loss will allow Lamar Jackson‘s Ravens to improve to a 9-8 record, which will hand Baltimore the division crown via a tiebreaker and a stunning postseason spot.

Ravens could force Rodgers out of NFL

Rodgers is guaranteed at least one more game if Pittsburgh makes the playoffs.

But questions about his NFL future will immediately return if the Steelers blow the division and turn an early season 4-1 record into 2026 disappointment.

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12. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

The most pivotal game of the 2025 regular season will be the last one played.

Mike Tomlin is guaranteed another winning year.

But he must make the playoffs with Aaron Rodgers to begin to pay off on a huge offseason gamble by Pittsburgh.

talkSPORT ranks the Super Bowl contenders

“I don’t know that I’ve taken time to ponder that. I’m just committed to making sure that it’s not,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.

“He’s certainly been an awesome contributor to our efforts, not only from a talent perspective and an experience perspective, but just his professionalism.

“His relationship with the game, his love for his teammates, and his willingness to help them grow and get better and gain better understanding each and every day has been cool to be a part of.”

Rodgers has completed 65.6 percent of his passes this season for 3,028 yards, 23 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 95.3 rating.

His 2025 completion percentage and passer rating are improvements compared to his disappointing 2024 season with the New York Jets.

But Rodgers’ average yards per game (201.9) with the Steelers is below his Jets mark (229.2) and his play has been inconsistent during the second half of the 2025 campaign.

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Rodgers needs to be more consistent

While the Steelers were forced to adjust to the loss of a suspended DK Metcalf, Rodgers only threw for 168 yards during a humbling Week 17 loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns.

“I don’t have a lot of stinkers back-to-back over the years,” Rodgers said.

“So it’s the same mindset every week, same approach. Just expect greatness. And when it doesn’t happen, you don’t shift up the plan. You just keep on going and trust the process.”

Rodgers was signed to take the Steelers to the Super Bowl.

If he falls short, Pittsburgh fans could want another QB for 2026, while Rodgers will be forced to confront his NFL future again.

If he walks away, he’ll eventually walk into the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history.

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