Aaron Rodgers Credits Wife and Mike McCarthy for Changing His Retirement Plans

2026 will be Aaron Rodgers' last year regardless of how the season ends.

Aaron Rodgers Credits Wife and Mike McCarthy for Changing His Retirement Plans

Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Similar to the previous offseason, Aaron Rodgers has been non-committal about his NFL future. As a matter of fact, Rodgers thought he was going to retire after the 2025 season.

But he’s back for the 2026 season, his 22nd year in the NFL. Reporters asked the 42-year-old about his retirement plans. Rodgers replied, “this is it.”

Rodgers revealed he was ready to hang up his cleats last season, but his wife encouraged him to continue football.

I thought last year might be it and then [former Green Bay Packers head coach] Mike [McCarthy] got hired and I talked to the wife. She said, ‘You can do one more year. See if it works out.

Aaron Rodgers said

Rodgers signed with the Steelers following a disappointing two-year spell with the New York Jets. Initially, he wanted to play for the Minnesota Vikings, but the NFC side declined to sign him.

Shortly after, Rodgers penned a one-year deal with the Steelers. He played 16 games, completed 327 passes for 3322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. The Steelers went 10-7 in the regular season and qualified for the wildcard round, where they lost to the Houston Texans. In that game, Rodgers completed 17 passes out of 33 attempts for 146 yards, was sacked 4 times for 36 yards, and threw a pick-6.

Mike Tomlin stepped down as the head coach. The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy. After months of speculation, Rodgers agreed to extend his career in Pittsburgh. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $25 million.

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Who is Aaron Rodgers’ wife?

Rodgers married a woman named Brittani in the spring of 2025. However, not much is known about her. The only information out there about Brittani has come from Rodgers’ mouth.

Aaron Rodgers Credits Wife and Mike McCarthy for Changing His Retirement Plans
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

According to Rodgers, he and Brittani started dating in 2024 when he was still in the Big Apple. In a 2024 episode of the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers spoke about Brittani for the first time.

Months later, when he attended the Kentucky Derby, he debuted a wedding band on his ring finger. Asked about his marital status at the Steelers camp last year, Rodgers confirmed that he got married to Brittani.

I got the most incredible wife. I just really love her, and I’m so thankful to have her by my side at the end. When you meet the right one, and you’re with the right one, your whole world changes in a second. To have that person that unconditionally loves you behind the scenes, there’s no better feeling in the world.

Aaron Rodgers told NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt

Will the Steelers keep four quarterbacks for the 2026 season?

In 2025, the Steelers brought back former third-round pick Mason Rudolph and drafted Ohio State graduate Will Howard in the sixth round. All that happened before Rodgers decided to commit to the Steelers.

After the season ended, questions were raised about Rodgers’ future. Even though McCarthy assured that he was confident of Rodgers’ return, the Steelers drafted ex-Penn State starter Drew Allar in the third round of the draft that took place in Pittsburgh earlier in the year. Rodgers eventually confirmed his return, increasing the number of QBs on the roster to four.

Usually, NFL teams limit the QB count to three: starter, one backup, and one for emergency purposes. Will the Steelers take the same route? General Manager Omar Khan provided an answer.

Is it realistic? Is it doable? I mean, sure it is. We’ll see… where we are in 3 weeks. We don’t know how things are going to shake out, but obviously we want to keep the top 53 guys that are going to help us win this year.

Omar Khan told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor

The Steelers play three pre-season games against the Packers, the Jets and the Buffalo Bills. Their 2026 campaign starts at home against the Atlanta Falcons.

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