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Aaron Rodgers may have played his final NFL game very well on Monday night, and it ended in a crushing loss in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans.
Rodgers had a rough night that included a lost fumble that resulted in a touchdown and a pick-six that piled on an already seemingly insurmountable score. But while it looked like he could still make incredible throws all season long, NFL broadcaster Troy Aikman served as a reminder that Rodgers could very well hang up his cleats after the game.
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after an NFL playoff football game Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
“I think we look at Aaron Rodgers’ last game and what we saw from Philip Rivers this year when he decided to come out of retirement and play for the Colts, who knows what next year might bring,” Aikman said. “He might be ready to step in at some point if a team needs a quarterback. I doubt that will happen.
“I don’t imagine he’ll say he wants to come back and re-sign with the Steelers or another team.”
Rodgers shook hands with Texas opponents as he left the field. He was 17 of 33 for 146 yards. He was sacked four times.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The clock started with his decision on whether or not to return to the NFL for the 2026 season. He was asked almost immediately about his future as he joined reporters for the postgame press conference.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “I’m disappointed. It’s been such a fun year. Obviously, a lot of adversity, but a lot of fun.”
The NFL Network reported last week that the Steelers would be “more than willing” to bring Rodgers back for next season if he decides not to retire.
If this is the case for Rodgers, he will become one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion. He played for the Steelers, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a news conference after an NFL playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Rodgers has accumulated 66,274 passing yards and 527 passing touchdowns in 264 games. He amassed 163 regular season wins in 257 starts as a quarterback.
