Punxsutawney Aaron saw his shadow and the world will have to wait even longer to learn if he will return for a 22nd NFL season.
Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” there is no decision on his future yet while he decides between possibly returning for a 22nd season or retiring.
The Steelers and new coach Mike McCarthy have made it known they would welcome him back for a second season with the franchise, but Rodgers is once again taking his time when it comes to deciding how he will proceed with NFL free agency set to begin March 11.
Rodgers notably did not mention retirement, though, when the topic was introduced, instead diving more into the latest updates with Pittsburgh.
“There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent. I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason,” Rodgers said on McAfee’s show Wednesday afternoon. “I think there’s conversations to be had down the line, but right now there hasn’t been any progressive conversations.
“There hasn’t been any deadline set on me, there hasn’t been any contract floated in front of me. … Interested in what the conversations will be, but there hasn’t been any progression when it comes to that.”
Rodgers’ future has once again been a top offseason storyline, especially since the 42-year-old previously said the 2025 campaign might be his last.
However, he then enjoyed a solid season and later indicated that the door would be open for him to return, perhaps once again with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh underwent a massive change this offseason in splitting with longtime coach Mike Tomlin for McCarthy, who coached Rogers in Green Bay from 2006-18.
Rodgers spoke highly of McCarthy during Wednesday’s show.
“I loved my time with Mike over the years,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “Deep down there’s so much love for Mike and appreciation for the years we spent together.”
McCarthy and Rodgers spoke after the latter’s hiring, and the Steelers made it known they would welcome him back, although they hoped for a quicker timeline than last year when it dragged to June.
“The door’s open to have Aaron back. I’ve had conversations with him,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in February at the NFL combine. “I spoke to him last week. Mike McCarthy has spoke to him. He knows how we feel about him. Right now, we’re proceeding.
“He’s a free agent, and he’s not on the roster, but he knows how we feel about him.”
The idea of retirement popped up last June when Rodgers told McAfee he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh due to that uncertainty about whether he continued to wish playing beyond the 2025 campaign.
“I’m pretty sure this is it, you know, that’s why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything,” Rodgers said. “This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had. I played 20 freaking years, it’s been a long run and I’ve enjoyed it. What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises in the NFL.”
After two lost years with the Jets, Rodgers rebounded with a solid season with Pittsburgh, winning the AFC North while throwing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.
The season ended unceremoniously with a home blowout loss in the Wild-Card round to the Texans.
Despite his prior comments, Rodgers did not indicate whether he would be retiring after that game.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said in January after the 30-6 setback. “At this point, obviously such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being part of this team. So, it’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”
Rodgers said during Wednesday’s show that he had a “blast” with the Steelers during the 2025 season.
“It was just a fun group of guys,” Rodgers said, “and I really enjoyed my time.”
