After months of speculation, Aaron Rodgers has finally made up his mind about his NFL future.
Rodgers, 41, has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced on Thursday, June 5. The deal will be completed “pending results of a physical.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport were first to report on Thursday that Rodgers intended to sign with the Steelers.
Sources told ESPN that Rodgers “plans to fly to Pittsburgh this week and participate in the Steelers mandatory minicamp next week.”
According to Schefter, the Steelers “never wavered in their belief that Aaron Rodgers eventually would sign with Pittsburgh.”
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, is said to have “loomed large” in Rodgers’ decision-making process.
“Tomlin was a drawing card for Rodgers, and was happy to work within Rodgers’ timeline,” Schefter posted via X. “He is a major reason that Rodgers will be a Steeler.”
In February, the New York Jets announced plans to move on from Rodgers as their starting quarterback.
Rodgers spent two tumultuous seasons with the Jets, culminating in a 5-12 record last year.
Just four plays into his Jets debut in September 2023, Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon and missed the remainder of the season.
The Jets, who signed quarterback Justin Fields in March, will host Rodgers and Steelers in a Week 1 showdown on September 7.
According to ESPN, Rodgers visited the Steelers’ practice facility in March, but remained coy about any potential decision regarding t his playing future.
“I wasn’t stringing anyone along,” Rodgers said during an April appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “I wasn’t holding anyone hostage. I was honest from the jump about where I was at mentally and some of the constraints I have in my life right now that warrant my attention.”
Rodgers continued, “I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus has been — and will continue to be — on my personal life. And that’s what I’ve told the coaches. There’s still conversations that are being had. It’s all been very honest lines of communication.”
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Rodgers reportedly also engaged in talks with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings this offseason, before reportedly deciding to sign with the Steelers.
Off the field, Rodgers recently revealed he’s in “a serious relationship” with an unknown partner.
“I’m in a different phase of my life,” Rodgers said during the same appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “I’m 41 years old. I’m in a serious relationship. I have off-the-field stuff going on that requires my attention. I have personal commitments not knowing what my future was going to look like after last year that are important to me.”
Rodgers added, “I have a lot of things that are taking my attention and have, beginning in January, away from football. That’s been where I’ve been focusing most of my attention.”
