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Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis got what he hoped for: Aaron Rodgers will play one more season in black and gold.
The Steelers officially signed Rodgers to a one-year contract worth up to $25 million last week, and Bettis said there was excitement in the air.
“There was hope, not necessarily expected, that he would consider coming back for one more year. Now there’s an excitement in the air, obviously knowing that it’s his last year as well. We’re in this space where we’re excited about the upcoming season,” Bettis told PK Press Club Digital.
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Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Rodgers told reporters that this upcoming season will be the final season of his illustrious career. Bettis said the Steelers wanted to send him off on a high note and they also wanted to have a great season.
“You want to send him out well, but you also want to have a great season and look to the future, so there’s a lot of excitement about Aaron coming back for his senior year,” Bettis said.
Last season was Rodgers’ first with the Steelers, and he started 16 games while missing one due to injury. The four-time NFL MVP proved he still has some juice left in the tank, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Before the Steelers signed Rodgers, they drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as backup quarterbacks.
Bettis is one of the best running backs in Steelers history. Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 4, 2026. (GETTY)
In 13 NFL seasons, including the last 10 with the Steelers, Bettis has totaled 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns while catching 200 passes for 1,449 yards and three touchdowns. He was an integral part of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks, as he scored three touchdowns during their playoff run.
American Century Championship
Bettis will compete in the American Century tournament July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
The tournament raised more than $8 million for regional and national charities. American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates a tournament fundraiser each year to generate direct donations to Stowers.
Bettis has been a longtime competitor in the tournament since retiring in 2006. He said it has been “amazing” to see the event grow over the years.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer said he is still trying to get in shape for the tournament. Bettis said he was trying a new swing and wondering how it would hold up.
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Jerome Bettis speaks on SiriusXM during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 5, 2025. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Bettis said his favorite part of the tournament is interacting with the athletes and having fun with the guys.
“I think my favorite part is really being able to talk with the athletes because obviously being retired you don’t get a chance to do that anymore. And so when you get a chance to have fun with guys like that experience in the locker room, it’s really fun and exhilarating,” Bettis said.
The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
