Aaron Rodgers insists he’s focused on trying to secure an AFC North title for the Pittsburgh Steelers during Week 18 of the NFL season. But he’s aware of the uncertainty that lies ahead in regards to the future of his storied career whenever this run ends.
‘I’m thinking about this week, but obviously I’m 42 years old and I’m on a one-year deal,’ Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 31. ‘So 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.
‘I’ve enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field,’ he added. ‘And it’s really what I was hoping for this experience was, it’s been even better than I was hoping.’
Rodgers’ latest comments come in the lead up to the Steelers’ ‘Sunday Night Football’ showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. The winner will be crowned AFC North champion and host an NFL playoff game during wild-card weekend. The loser will be eliminated from postseason contention. The Cleveland Browns upset Pittsburgh in Week 17 once Rodgers’ attempt at a game-tying touchdown drive came up short.
Rodgers previously indicated when he signed with the Steelers in June that this could be his final NFL season, telling ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ at the time, ‘I’m pretty sure this is it.’
But the 21-year veteran reflected positively on his experience in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and didn’t shut down the possibility of a return next season – with the Steelers or elsewhere.
‘You always think about the what-if and the alternative timelines of your life,’ Rodgers said. ‘But if I hadn’t taken this path, I never would have met so many guys in the locker room who I now call close friends and wouldn’t have the experiences and the memories on the field, wouldn’t have been able to be in the room with (QB coach) Tom Arth again and (assistant QB coach Matt Baker) and be able to play for Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin. And I feel like there would be a little hole in my life missing without having this chapter. So I’m thankful for this time.’
Rodgers told reporters he would speak with his wife about a potential retirement decision, but otherwise kept the details of how he’ll proceed after the season to himself.
Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before an unsuccessful and controversial two-year stint with the New York Jets prior to joining the Steelers. He has thrown for 3,028 yards with 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while completing 65.6% of his passes with Pittsburgh this season.
