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Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, is in the midst of his 21st season.
While he has been productive in his first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 41-year-old is arguably much closer to the sunset of his storied career than the beginning. Deciding to put his playing days behind him, Rodgers intends to return to the Packers for a ceremonial reunion.
The Packers drafted Rodgers in 2005. He ultimately spent 18 seasons with the franchise, winning a Super Bowl title along the way.
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Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers looks to throw a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on November 17, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Rodgers reflected fondly on his time in Green Bay as his former team prepares to visit Pittsburgh this Sunday.
“I was there for 18 years,” Rodgers said, referring to his tenure with the Packers. “Whenever I hang it up, it’s the majority of my career. I want to retire a Packer and see what happens after that. I have a lot of love for the organization [and] my time there. They asked this week if it’s a revenge game or whatever. What do I have to avenge here? They made me a ton of money. I grew up there, spent some of the best years of my life there. I have nothing but love for the organization.”
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The Packers have a history of welcoming back franchise greats who left and played for other teams later in their careers. Brett Favre spent 16 years of his stellar career with Green Bay before later joining the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
Favre returned to Green Bay when he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2015 and his No. 4 jersey was retired.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gestures as he leaves the field after losing the NFC Divisional Playoff game to the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on January 22, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
During a video conference Thursday, Rodgers told reporters that his “football career starts and will end one day with Green Bay. I have a lot of love for those memories and a lot of great friends that I still carry with me to this day.”
Aaron Rodgers stands on the 11th tee box during the final round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 13, 2025 in Stateline, Nevada. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
While Rodgers will have the opportunity to reunite with the Packers on Sunday night, he admitted he would have preferred to play the game at Lambeau Field.
“This one would mean a lot more if it was in Lambeau, just because of the affection I have for that place and the hallowed ground at Lambeau Field and all the great memories I have there over the years.”
In his first six games with the Steelers, Rodgers has thrown for 1,270 yards and 14 touchdowns.
