Just hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a heavy 30–6 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round at Acrisure Stadium (January 12, 2026), the future of 42-year-old quarterback
Aaron Rodgers became the center of attention.
The 2025 season—Rodgers’ first and possibly only season with the Steelers—ended in disappointment, extending the franchise’s playoff losing streak to seven straight games.
But the biggest surprise came only eight hours later: Rodgers flew back to Green Bay and signed a symbolic one-day contract with the Green Bay Packers—the team that drafted him in 2005 and where he spent 18 glorious seasons, winning Super Bowl XLV, earning four MVP awards, and setting countless records.
This is a common tradition that allows legends to “officially retire” with their original team, as Brett Favre once did.
Rodgers, who had repeatedly stated that “my career started and will end in Green Bay,” fulfilled that promise. Previously, in an interview with Packers reporters in October 2025, he said: “Whenever I hang it up, most of my career is here. I will retire a Packer.”
The signing was quickly confirmed by the Packers, along with an announcement that Rodgers’ No. 12 jersey will be permanently retired at Lambeau Field—making him the seventh player in franchise history to receive that honor. The team also pledged to hold a formal ceremony, potentially combined with the jersey-retirement event.
Packers fans erupted with emotion on social media: “Welcome home, 12! This is the ending he deserved,” and “From the Jets to the Steelers and then back home— a perfect story.” Meanwhile, Steelers Nation expressed regret, with many admitting: “He always belonged to Green Bay.”
Rodgers has not officially announced his permanent retirement, but this move all but closes the chapter on his playing career. After the playoff loss, he said: “I won’t make an emotional decision. I need time to think and talk to the right people.” Yet signing a one-day contract with the Packers shows he has chosen the most fitting ending—under the colors where his career began.
Thank you, Aaron Rodgers, for 21 legendary seasons. From Lambeau to Canton, the journey of No. 12 will forever be iconic. 🏈💚💛
