Aaron Rodgers is 42 years old, so there’s a chance that Sunday’s pivotal game against the Baltimore Ravens could be his last in the NFL. If the Pittsburgh Steelers lose their regular-season finale, they’ll be eliminated from the playoffs and their season will be over.
So will Rodgers’ one-year contract, which expires at the end of this season. It’s unclear whether he’ll try to return to the Steelers, play somewhere else or retire.
Regardless of what the future holds for Rodgers, he’s grateful for his time in Pittsburgh, which has gone better than he expected.
“All those things have exceeded expectations…I’ve enjoyed the relationships and the friendships. There’s a handful that will stick with me, I feel like, into the next chapter of my life,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. “I feel like there would be a little hole in my life missing without having this chapter, so I’m thankful for this time.”
Story continues below advertisement
Rodgers also said he appreciated building new relationships with numerous people in the Steelers’ organization, from Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith to Art Rooney Jr.
The four-time NFL MVP joined Pittsburgh in June, three months after being released by the New York Jets. If this is the final chapter in Rodgers’ Hall of Fame career, at least it’s gone much better than his time with the Jets did.
Rodgers will try to lead the Steelers to victory on Sunday, which he was unable to do last weekend against the Cleveland Browns. If he succeeds, he’ll advance to the postseason for the first time in four years, giving him another shot at a second Super Bowl ring.
Story continues below advertisement
More Steelers: Cam Newton Defends Steelers’ Mike Tomlin From Unfair Criticism
Featured image via Barry Reeger-Imagn Images