Broadcast Gives Update On Steelers' Aaron Rodgers' Future After Embarrassing Loss To Texans

The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled offensively in the Wild Card game on Monday night, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers gave up more points with turnovers than he scored in the game himself. The Houston Texans won by a final score of 30-6 in a matchup where Pittsburgh's defense was able to take advantage of multiple mistakes by CJ Stroud, yet the offense could not get anything going all game long. Their 3-0 lead in the first quarter was the most promising part of the game, as three takeaways only led to three points for the Black and Gold. 

During the broadcast, sideline reporter Lisa Salters explained what Rodgers said behind the scenes in regard to his future in the NFL.

"We asked [Aaron Rodgers] a few weeks ago when we were here in Week 15; we asked him, 'Is this it?' He said, 'Probably,'" Salters reported. "He said that's what he's been saying all year, and he said the team has been great. He doesn't know what the Steelers' plans are for the future, but he said for him, it feels like this is the end. He said, 'It's been a really fun year.' At that time, he just wanted to go on a run and make the playoffs; that did happen, but he said, 'I feel really good about what's happened this year, and that's what I've been saying all year: that this feels like the end.'"

It sounds like Rodgers has already made his decision, and he will retire. Throughout the 2025 season, he did play better overall than what many expected from him, but it was still not good enough to get the Steelers over the hump. He was benched for Mason Rudolph before the final drive, which means his last pass ever in the NFL will most likely be a pick-six to end a crushing defeat. 

Rodgers was victorious for getting the division crown and coming in clutch in Week 18, but his career ends with a whimper. In that Wild Card game, he went 17/33 for 146 yards, a pick six, and four sacks — with one of them turning into a scoop-and-score for the Texans. There was no rhythm or chemistry with any of his receivers, as everything that could go wrong, did. He had some good moments, but he may be right in that it's time to hang up the cleats. 

What hurts the most is that Stroud and the Texans were giving the Steelers every chance to win, with two terrible fumbles on their own side of the field, as well as an interception wiping out what likely would have been a touchdown drive, yet Rodgers' unit could not get any sort of momentum or traction. They just never broke through this stingy defense.

Steelers Could Have Butterfly Effect Due To Rodgers

There have been rumors about Rodgers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin going out into the sunset together, and that could be the case here. It has been nine years since the Steelers won a playoff game, and they have had to deal with seven consecutive blowouts in the postseason. It's clear that change definitely needs to happen, but maybe Tomlin is tired of all the mediocrity and may want to take on a new challenge himself.

What do you think about Rodgers admitting that this is likely the end of the road for him and his 21-year NFL career? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB, and happy retirement to the four-time MVP if it is truly the end.

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