Love him or hate him, you’ve got to give it to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He is a glutton for punishment. The last few seasons, he has been getting abused by not only defensive players that he can no longer evade, but by the media and fans as well.
Let’s take one at a time. He can no longer escape the pocket. In the 2024 season, Aaron Rodgers was sacked 40 times, which ranked him first in the NFL for the year. This also pushed his career sack total past 565, making him the most-sacked quarterback in league history.
In the 2025 NFL season, Aaron Rodgers was sacked 29 times, ranking 17th among quarterbacks in total sacks. Interestingly, though, he had the highest sack rate. Which means he had the most sacks per game among starting quarterbacks. So, needless to say, he’s getting killed out there.
Then you have the media. Much of the tension began when Rodgers took a controversial stance on vaccines and public health measures during the pandemic. Some media outlets really latched onto it, and he was pretty outspoken, pushing back against certain narratives. So, he ended up in this sort of polarizing spotlight, both praised by some for standing his ground but heavily criticized by others who felt he was spreading misinformation.
As far as it goes with the fans, it’s pretty split. You’ve got a lot of fans who still see him as a once-in-a-generation talent, so they’re really loyal to him. On the other side, a lot of fans, especially those who care about his public stances, have kind of cooled on him or feel disappointed. So, he’s one of those players who still has a huge fan base, but it’s definitely more complex than it used to be. In certain circles, there are fans and media who really just don’t like his off-field stances and personality, so he’s polarizing for sure. But, at the same time, he still commands a ton of respect for his talent. I wouldn’t say he’s universally disliked, but he’s definitely got his critics.
All that being said, here we are in the off-season of the 2026 season, and Rodgers has decided, like Timmy T, to give it “One More Try.” It does seem like Mike Tomlin being gone, and Mike McCarthy being there is a huge part of the decision. After all they were together for Aaron’s only Super Bowl victory.
Rodgers just signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2026 season. The deal is worth up to 25 million dollars, with a base salary between 22 and 23 million. About 22 million is guaranteed, and there’s an incentive package worth 2.5 million if he plays at least 75% of the snaps and wins playoff games.
Aaron Rodgers announced that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL. In a press conference with the Steelers, he said, “Yes, this is it,” after 22 seasons in the league, he plans to go out on his own terms, with a focus on mentoring and leaving a legacy.
Rodgers added that he believes the Steelers “added some good pieces” to the roster from a season ago.
“I think we were close last year,” Rodgers said. “… I felt like we needed a lineman, probably at some point. They drafted a guy in the first round they like. Thought we needed somebody who could work in the slot, and obviously [Germie Bernard] being picked there is a guy that could do it. Bringing in [Michael] Pittman [Jr.] was obviously a good addition, Rico Dowdle, Jamel [Dean] on defense, [Jaquan] Brisker as well. A lot of good pieces added to the mix.”
It seems like it is really hard for Rodgers to walk away from football. He truly is one of the greats. For a guy who took over for another absolute legend, Brett Favre, Rodgers carved out a career that not only was on the same level as Favre, but in some eyes, maybe even better.
Aaron Rodgers is widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history. Over 17 seasons as a starter, he’s a four-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl champion, and a Super Bowl MVP. He holds the highest passer rating in NFL history and ranks among the top in career touchdown passes, completions, and overall yardage. Known for his precision, football IQ, and clutch performances, Rodgers also boasts a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and a legacy as one of the most efficient and electrifying passers the league has ever seen.
We here at SFL.media will be sad to see Rodgers retire. But that is just the thing. Maybe, just maybe, he won’t.
