Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has always been unique and a little weird, especially compared to other NFL quarterbacks. He marches to the beat of his own drum, has interesting takes on things and doesn’t seem to care too much what people think about him.
After 21 seasons in the NFL, Rodgers’ career is winding down. He turns 42 in December, and he’s already thinking about what he’s going to do when he finally hangs it up.
During the Steelers’ 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football in Week 7, TV commentators Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit revealed a conversation they had with Rodgers this week where he spoke about what he wants to do after football.
According to them, Rodgers said he’s had enough of the limelight after two decades in the NFL. “I’ve lived in the spotlight long enough. I’m going into the shadows,” he told them, adding that people won’t see him or hear from him for a while.
Michaels referenced Rodgers’ infamous darkness retreat in early 2023 where he spent four days in darkness and isolation at Sky Cave in Oregon contemplating his NFL future. He ultimately decided to keep playing.
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Rodgers’ retirement plans sound like an extended version of that. He’s never seemed entirely comfortable in the spotlight and apparently wants more privacy when his playing days are over. It also sounds like he isn’t interested in a typical post-playing career as a TV analyst or celebrity spokesman.
The four-time NFL MVP is on a one-year deal, so this could be his final season. After years of constantly being on TV and in the press, it sounds like he’s had enough of that and is ready to step away from the attention when he retires.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images