When will Aaron Rodgers retire? What Steelers veteran QB has said about future in NFL

Ever since he was traded to the New York Jets a few years ago, Aaron Rodgers has been approaching the end of his career.

The future hall-of-fame quarterback is now on his third team as he is trying to get back to the playoffs with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he will always be known for his time with the Green Bay Packers, as he was arguably the best player in the league as a Packer.

When Rodgers chooses to retire, people will remember him for his Packers era, which will likely be on his mind when he takes the field against Green Bay. Here's a look at when Rodgers will likely hang up his cleats.

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When will Aaron Rodgers retire?

Rodgers hasn't made it official, but he said before the 2025 season that this would likely be the last year of his career and retire in the offseason.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is it," he said. "That's why we just did a one-year deal."

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2025

If Rodgers holds true to his word, it means he will retire after 21 seasons in the NFL. However, Rodgers has stated in the past that he's thought about retirement before returning, so he could change his mind.

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Will Aaron Rodgers retire a Packer?

In the week ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers, Rodgers told media that he plans to retire as a Packer one day.

"I was there for 18 years," Rodgers said, via ESPN. "Regardless of when I hang it up, that's the bulk of my career. I'll retire a Packer and see what happens after that. I've got a lot of love for the organization [and] my time there. They asked this week is it a revenge game or whatever. What do I got to be avenging here? They made me a ton of money. I grew up there, spent some of the best years of my life there. I've got nothing but love for the organization."

Rodgers' divorce with the Packers wasn't pretty, as the quarterback was upset with the organization near the end of his time in Green Bay. However, three seasons after he left, Rodgers appears to be on good terms with the Packers.

"It was such a tight-knit group for so long there," Rodgers said, via NFL.com. "I outlasted most of them, but it's fun, that's why I feel so good about my time there because damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career starts and will end one day with Green Bay. I've got a lot of love for those memories and a lot of great friends that I still carry with me to this day."

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How old is Aaron Rodgers?

Rodgers is 41 years-old, making him the oldest active NFL player, and he will turn 42 on December 2. 

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Aaron Rodgers career timeline

Green Bay Packers: 2005-2022

The Packers drafted Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft, and teh quarterback ended up as one of the best players in franchise history. He took over for Brett Favre as the starter in 2008, and remained the unquestioned  first-string quarterback through the 2022 season.

In his time as the Packers quarterback, Rodgers won 147 games and threw for over 59,000 yards and 475 touchdowns. He helped Green Bay win Super Bowl 45, which is also the last time the Packers won it all.

New York Jets: 2023-2024

When the Jets traded for Rodgers in the 2023 offseason, they expected him to be the missing piece of the team. Instead, the Rodgers era was a disappointment in New York, as the quarterback tore his Achilles in his first game with the team/

While Rodgers played in all 17 games in 2024, the Jets went just 5-12 and cleaned house after the season. The new regime chose to release Rodgers, ending his New York tenure at two years.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2025

In the offseason, the Steelers signed Rodgers to a one-year deal to be their starting quarterback for the season. Rodgers has settled the quarterback position for the Steelers as they look to make a deep run in the playoffs.