As the clock hit zero in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round, many wondered if it also marked the end of Aaron Rodgers’ career.
After 21 seasons in the NFL, Rodgers may have played his final game in what was an ugly postseason exit. His individual performance mirrored the result.
Rodgers finished the night 17 of 33 passing for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles. Both the interception and one of the fumbles were returned for touchdowns.
Still, at 42 years old, Rodgers is one of just four quarterbacks since 1950 to start a playoff game at age 40 or older. The others are Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Brett Favre.
The question now is whether the loss to Houston truly marked the end.
More Steelers on Heavy: Aaron Rodgers Falls Short of Historic Feat in Steelers’ Ugly Loss to Texans
Aaron Rodgers Speaks on Retirement
Following the loss, Rodgers was asked directly about his future during the postgame press conference. He didn’t offer a definitive answer.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “I’m disappointed, obviously. It was such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. It’s 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 a part of this team, it’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”
Rodgers also took time to reflect on his long tenure with the Green Bay Packers.
“I was fortunate to play in an incredible football city for 18 years,” Rodgers said. “I never took it for granted.
“I enjoyed that time there, and this has been a really beautiful backend to that first 18. There’s only a few really special places in the league that have the tradition, the town and the organization, and I’m thankful to have played for two of them.”
Aaron Rodgers Gets Prediction On Future
There remains a scenario in which Rodgers returns for the 2026 season — possibly even with Pittsburgh. The Steelers do not currently have a clear long-term answer at quarterback, with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph among the in-house options.
This season, Rodgers led Pittsburgh to a 10-7 record and an AFC North title-clinching win over the Baltimore Ravens in the regular-season finale. He completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 61 rushing yards and a score.
Even so, the prevailing belief remains that the four-time NFL MVP will choose retirement. If that proves to be the case, USA Today’s Ryan Wood believes Rodgers’ next appearance on an NFL field will come in a different setting.
“If that was the last game of Aaron Rodgers’ career, you’ll next see him on a football field at Lambeau, where the Packers will retire his No. 12,” Wood wrote.
Packers beat writer Weston Hodkiewicz echoed a similar sentiment.
“He made the playoffs. He put the New York fiasco to bed. I don’t know what else there is for 12 to prove,” Hodkiewicz said.
Even if the loss in Houston proves to be the final chapter, Rodgers will retire as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history — with a résumé that far outweighs the way it may have ended.
Aaron Rodgers Gets Major Career Prediction After Addressing Retirement