PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers took his time deliberating before deciding to return for his 22nd NFL season. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has already determined that he will not be returning for a 23rd season.
“This is it,” Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday when questioned about whether this season would be his last in the league.
The 42-year-old did not delve into the reasons behind his decision during his first public appearance since signing a one-year contract with the Steelers on Monday.
Rodgers is choosing to focus on the present, especially the opportunity to reunite with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, who is in his first year with the team. Rodgers and McCarthy previously shared 13 seasons in Green Bay, and McCarthy’s appointment as the successor to Mike Tomlin played a significant role in Rodgers’ decision to return for a final season.
“It’s been a series of ‘pinch me’ moments over the last few days,” Rodgers remarked after the second day of Pittsburgh’s voluntary organized team activities.
During their time in Green Bay, McCarthy and Rodgers led the team to a Super Bowl victory after the 2010 season. They have kept in touch regularly through the winter and spring as Rodgers contemplated whether he wanted to endure the challenges of another 17-game season.
Rodgers ultimately landed on yes, hoping for the rarest of exits: one he can dictate on his own terms.
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