After years of searching for a reliable successor to franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers appear to have found one this year in Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, however, is 41 years old, on a one-year deal in Pittsburgh and has expressed in the past a desire to play only one more season in the NFL.
In short: The four-time NFL MVP is the present in Pittsburgh, not the future.
That is, unless the free-thinking Rodgers changes his mind.
That's because Pittsburgh would like Rodgers to return for a 22nd NFL season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning.
"My understanding is the Steelers have really, really enjoyed the Aaron Rodgers experience," Rapoport said. "Coaches, executives, players. He has bonded with several young players in the locker room. I would not be surprised, based on how he is and how he's playing, if they want him back for another year despite just signing him to a one-year deal.
"Until Rodgers says he is for sure, for sure retiring after this year, we will continue to wonder."
In the years after Roethlisberger, the Steelers' starter for 18 seasons, retired following the 2021 campaign, Pittsburgh cycled through a number of options under center. There were Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. None of them stuck.
Through six games this season, Rodgers has so far outperformed them all. The veteran's 68.6 completion percentage, 211.7 passing yards per game, 14-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 105.0 passer rating are all his best since the 2021 MVP season in Green Bay. Rodgers has developed a sterling rapport with fellow offseason acquisition DK Metcalf and tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. Most importantly, the signal-caller has Pittsburgh atop the AFC North at 4-2, on pace to win its first division title in five years.
Rodgers, who will turn 42 years old on Dec. 2, signed a one-year deal worth up to $19.5 million with just $10 million guaranteed to join Pittsburgh after his release from the Jets. He has the No. 19 cap number among quarterbacks in 2025, indicative of an aging QB who was expected to be middle of the pack in his 21st NFL season.
What would it take for Rodgers to come back for a 22nd? And would he even want to?
In June, Rodgers said he was "pretty sure" the 2025 campaign would be his final one. This week ahead of a matchup -- not a "revenge game" -- against his former team, the QB spoke about the end of his career in imminent terms, stating he'd like to "retire a Packer."
Given Rodgers' early-season production, the Steelers would surely have him back in 2026. They don't have a long-term plan behind him at the moment, with perennial backups Rudolph and Skylar Thompson and sixth-round rookie Will Howard waiting in the wings.
For now, Rodgers is enjoying his bounce-back season in Pittsburgh, even if it's his last.
"This game is about the relationships," Rodgers said this week. "Three years in college, 21 years in the league, and in those 24 years, I've got a ton of lifelong friends I've made. The majority of what's special in my life is because of the game. And I love to compete. I grew up dreaming about being a quarterback taking his team on a drive in the Super Bowl. ...
"This game's given me a lot, and I love it. It's an imperfect profession and a tough business. But it's a wonderful job that I've gotten to do for so long."
