Aaron Rodgers Takes Shots at Jets, Admits Steelers Hiring Mike McCarthy Is the Reason He Didn’t Retire

Aaron Rodgers believes the time he spent with the Steelers in 2025 helped him to fall in love with football again.

Aaron Rodgers Takes Shots at Jets, Admits Steelers Hiring Mike McCarthy Is the Reason He Didn’t Retire

Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO/X)

Aaron Rodgers took a veiled dig at his former team, the New York Jets. The veteran quarterback claimed that he may have been listening to the “wrong signs” before agreeing to a move to the AFC East franchise.

Rodgers joined SiriusXM’s Movin’ The Chains podcast with Pat Kirwan and Jacob Hester on Saturday. Rodgers teased that he could have walked away from football, and chances did arrive to call time. But opportunities to earn a second ring also presented themselves. This led to his famous move to the New York Jets in 2023.

However, the situation in the Big Apple unraveled from day one. He suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for the rest of his first season. After just two years, he was out of New York. Rodgers said:

There have been times in the last three off-seasons where I felt like maybe it’s time… But doors open, and I just listen to the signs. I might have been listening to the wrong signs by going to New York… But it was a good learning experience. I learned a lot during that process.

Following an unsatisfactory 8-9 year with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers bid goodbye to the Bay and landed in New York with the ambition of ending the Gang Green’s wait for a second championship. However, an ACL injury ended his first year, and in the second season, the Jets won just five games.

RELATED
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Pins the Blame on Autopilot For His Horrific Accident

Aaron Rodgers credited Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy for helping him decide on his NFL career

Rodgers still had a couple of years left on his contract, but the new Jets regime cut ties with the four-time NFL MVP, sending him packing to free agency. Rodgers could have retired during this time, but he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aaron Rodgers Takes Shots at Jets, Admits Steelers Hiring Mike McCarthy is the Reason He Didn't Retire
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

In his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers threw for 327 completions for 3322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. The Steelers won ten games and qualified for the playoffs. However, they were defeated by the Houston Texans. Rodgers threw zero touchdowns, a pick-6, and was sacked four times in the defeat.

Experts advised him to retire from the NFL, and for a brief moment it seemed the 42-year-old would finally walk away. However, he re-signed a one-year extension with the Steelers.

Rodgers thanked both former coach Mike Tomlin and current Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy for putting his mind at ease:

I am thankful for last year with coach [Mike] Tomlin because he helped me get the deep love back for the game. Tearing my Achilles and going through a year of rehab and never feeling like myself, it beats you up a little bit. [But] I didn’t want that to be my ending in the game that I love so much. Mike [McCarthy] and being around the guys got me my love back.

McCarthy and Rodgers won a Super Bowl with the Packers in the 2010-11 season by defeating the Steelers in the final. Rodgers spent 18 seasons in Green Bay, earning five All-Pro and 10 Pro Bowl honors.

Aaron Rodgers clapped back at ESPN and Anthony Fauci

August kicked off with a blast when Pat McAfee interviewed Rodgers at the Steelers camp. Rodgers took unfiltered digs at ESPN for showing reluctance in running the Dinna Russini scandal and at Dr. Anthony Fauci for pleading the Fifth Amendment in Congress.

Reports surfaced that a few of the ESPN bosses weren’t happy with Rodgers’ statements and would be glad if the Steelers missed the playoffs. Fauci’s attorneys issued a statement claiming that Rodgers’ accusations against their client are baseless.

Rodgers doubled down on his words in a recent fiery rant:

I don’t give a [expletive] about anything that people think about me unless they’re in my corner. Most people aren’t listening to the content of your words. They’re wanting to attack your character because they think you’re MAGA or they think you’re whatever tag they put on you, conspiracy theorist, anti-science. They’ve already made up their mind about me before this.

Steelers kick off their preseason friendlies by facing the Packers, Jets, and Buffalo Bills. Although fans would love to see Rodgers play against both of his former teams, the chances of that happening are very low.

Also Read: