Aaron Rodgers Confirms Final NFL Season with Steelers

Aaron Rodgers confirmed he will retire after the upcoming NFL season. Rodgers, who is 42 and will turn 43 in December, announced his decision last Wednesday. He plans to conclude his 22nd season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rodgers’ retirement has sparked mixed reactions. Some see it as a fitting end to a remarkable career due to his age, while others wonder if he might continue if his performance is strong. There are also skeptics who doubt his announcement, citing his unpredictable history.

Rodgers has crafted an impressive legacy in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl and was named NFL MVP four times. Peyton Manning, with five MVP titles, is the only player with more. There is still a chance for Rodgers to tie with Manning if he excels in the upcoming season.

Currently, Rodgers ranks fourth in all-time passing touchdowns with 527, fifth in passing yards with 66,274, and holds the 11th spot in career completions with over 5,696. Only Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Manning have exceeded his touchdown pass total. To surpass Manning this season, who threw 539 touchdowns, Rodgers needs a strong performance. Brady (649) and Brees (571) remain beyond his reach in touchdowns.

In passing yards, Rodgers trails only Brady, Brees, Manning, and Brett Favre. Manning, who retired with 71,838 passing yards, sits ahead of Rodgers, making it difficult for Rodgers to overtake him this year.

Rodgers’ statistical achievements place him among the elite quarterbacks. He is a future Hall of Famer, yet discussions about ranking him among the all-time greats involve subjective factors like Super Bowl victories and media perception. Rodgers seems unfazed by such debates, content with his career and decision to retire.

Armando Salguero is OutKick’s Senior NFL Writer.