Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Could Return In 2026 After Jay Glazer Reveals Intriguing Story

The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was able to breathe a fresh sigh of relief after Aaron Rodgers made it clear he was joining the team for the 2025 season. Rodgers signed a one-year deal worth $13.65 million with the Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The contract includes $10 million guaranteed and can reach a maximum value of $19.5 million, giving Pittsburgh a proven veteran presence under center.

Rodgers joined The Pat McAfee Show and openly said he believes this will be his final season in the NFL. The future Hall of Famer sounded confident in his decision and showed no signs of hesitation about walking away from the game after 2025. However, not everyone is convinced that retirement will stick, especially after what NFL insider Jay Glazer recently shared in an interview with Jim Rome.

Glazer told Rome two behind-the-scenes stories about NFL stars who swore they were done playing, only for one player to return shortly after. While Glazer was respectful of Rodgers' words, he explained that these stories are exactly why he won't say Rodgers is finished after next season. In Glazer’s experience, when it comes to legendary players, retirement decisions are rarely as final as they seem.

"I don't say definitely, here's why," Glazer said. "I would think so. I would take Aaron at his word, yeah. The reason I never say definitely is because I got a great story for you here... Tony Gonzalez is going to retire and we know it... about two months later he calls me up and asks me if the Falcons would have him back."

Tony Gonzalez had made it very clear he was done playing football. He publicly announced his retirement and walked away from the game with confidence. However, not long after, he changed his mind and reached out to Glazer, asking for help to speak with Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith about returning for one more season in Atlanta.

Glazer said Gonzalez was so determined to come back that he practically begged him to set up the conversation. This was a story Glazer had never shared before, and it offers a rare look at what truly goes on behind the scenes when great players face the end of their careers.

"My point is Jim, we were positive that he was done and he came back," Glazer said. "[Michael] Strahan same thing, he was done going into his last year and we knew it... but he was this close when he knew he was done, but he was close to going back. So my point is I never like to say never because I have been around a lot of guys who have danced on both sides of never."

That moment is exactly why Glazer refuses to say Rodgers is finished after 2025. Even players who seem completely sure can struggle with walking away once the season begins. Rodgers could very well find himself in the same position, questioning whether he’s really ready to leave the game for good.

Steelers Might Not Want Aaron Rodgers Back In 2026

The flip side of all this is that Rodgers is 41 years old, and the Steelers have made it clear they are looking ahead to the future. All signs point to Pittsburgh targeting a potential franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. That plan could get complicated if Rodgers changes his mind and delivers a strong performance during the 2025 season.

If Rodgers plays at a high level and decides he wants to return, the Steelers would face a difficult decision. Balancing the short-term success of a future Hall of Famer with the long-term need for a young quarterback would create a complex situation. It’s the kind of dilemma that could reshape the team’s entire direction heading into 2026.

While Rodgers may believe he’s nearing the end, Glazer knows how quickly things can change once the games begin and the competitive fire returns.

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