The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their final regular-season game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on January 4, with the AFC North title on the line.
It could also be Aaron Rodgers’ final game in the NFL.
Pittsburgh missed its chance to clinch the division in Week 17, falling to the then 3-12 Cleveland Browns. The Steelers managed just six points in the loss, while Rodgers finished 21 of 39 for 168 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. It marked only the second time this season the veteran quarterback failed to throw a touchdown pass.
That level of offensive production won’t be enough if the Steelers hope to beat the Ravens, which is their only path to reaching the AFC playoffs. If Pittsburgh comes up short, Rodgers’ season — and possibly his career — could end far sooner than expected.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he’s not entertaining that possibility.
“I don’t know that I’ve taken time to ponder that,” Tomlin said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I’m just committed to making sure that it’s not. 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 a better understanding each and every day has been cool to be part of.”
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Aaron Rodgers Makes Interesting Comments About Future
Rodgers was asked about his future while speaking to the media on December 31, and his response suggested that his NFL career may not be over just yet.
“Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent, so that will give me a lot of options if I still want to play,” Rodgers said, via Brendan Howe. “There’ll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.”
Rodgers, 42, signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with Pittsburgh during the offseason. Even that move came with uncertainty, as it was unclear whether he would return to football at all after being released following two seasons with the New York Jets. Back in April, Rodgers cited “personal matters” as a reason he might not come back.
“I have a couple people in my inner, inner circle who are battling some difficult stuff,” Rodgers said. “So, I have a lot of things that are taking my attention and have since the beginning of January away from football.”
Steelers Would Most Likely Re-Sign Aaron Rodgers
Stability at quarterback has been elusive for the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Pittsburgh has tried repeatedly to find its next long-term answer, whether through the draft or free agency, with little success.
Even if Rodgers is past his prime at 42, he has still been the team’s most reliable quarterback in years — and possibly its best option moving forward. In 2025, Rodgers has thrown for 3,028 yards, 23 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
If the Steelers can add a few more offensive pieces through the draft or free agency, that could be enough to entice Rodgers to return for another season. And if Pittsburgh decides not to bring him back, there would almost certainly be quarterback-needy teams willing to make the call.
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