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Aaron Rodgers may very well have played his final NFL game on Monday night, and it came in a crushing loss in the Wild Card round against the Houston Texans.
Rodgers had a rough night that included a fumble that resulted in a touchdown and a pick six to cap the already seemingly insurmountable score. But while it looked like he could still make great throws all season long, NFL broadcaster Troy Aikman offered a sobering reminder that Rodgers could very well hang up the cleats after the game.
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after an NFL wild-card playoff football game Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
“I think we see Aaron Rodgers’ last game and what we saw of Philip Rivers this year when he came out and decided to retire and play for the Colts, who knows what next year might bring,” Aikman said. “He might be willing to come in at some point if a team needs a quarterback. I doubt that will happen.
“I don’t imagine he’s going to say he’s going to come back and re-sign with the Steelers or with another team.”
Rodgers shook hands with the Texans’ opponents as he walked off the field. He was 17-of-33 for 146 yards. He was fired four times.
TEXANS DEFENSE STRESSES AARON RODGERS, STEELERS IN PLAYOFF VICTORY
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The clock started on his decision on whether to return to the NFL for the 2026 season. He was almost immediately asked about his future when he joined reporters for the post-game press conference.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “I’m disappointed. It was such a fun year. Obviously, a lot of adversity, but a lot of fun.”
The NFL Network reported last week that the Steelers would be “more than open” to bringing Rodgers back for next season if he decides to retire.
If this is it for Rodgers, he will go down as one of the game’s best quarterbacks.
He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion. He played for the Steelers, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a press conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Rodgers amassed 66,274 passing yards and 527 passing touchdowns in 264 games. He compiled 163 regular-season wins in 257 starts at quarterback.
