Aaron Rodgers makes major retirement declaration just days after joining Pittsburgh Steelers on $13.6 million contract

AARON Rodgers made an eye-opening retirement declaration when speaking about his eventual decision to sign a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 41-year-old Rodgers penned a one-year, $13.6 million deal with the Steelers last weekend.

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Aaron Rodgers spoke to reporters about his decision to join the Pittsburgh Steelers during Tuesday’s media availability after a mandatory minicamp session[/caption]

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Rodgers joined the Steelers after being linked with the team for several months.

The four-time NFL MVP was cut by the New York Jets in March and contemplated retirement or playing a 21st season in the NFL in 2025.

While the Steelers expressed interest in Rodgers, other NFL teams, including the New York Giants, were suitors for the veteran quarterback.

However, it seems that Rodgers was never going to sign with the Giants, or any other team, for that matter, and chose retirement instead.

During the Steelers’ first day of mandatory minicamp, Rodgers told the media that “it was here [to play in Pittsburgh] or not play.”

The comment was eye-opening since Rodgers did have free-agent discussions with the Giants.

And he heaped praise for Giants head coach Brian Daboll during the offseason.

The Giants, however, are coming off a disaster 3-14 campaign.

But Rodgers’ retirement declaration could just be nothing more than pleasing the Steelers and their fans over his confidence about being a player for the team.

The Giants instead signed veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to short-term contracts and drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Wilson started 11 games for the Steelers last season and led the team to the playoffs.

But Pittsburgh was one-and-done in the postseason and chose not to retain Wilson.

Rodgers signed a one-year, deal worth a maximum amount of $19.6 million.

He will lead a Steelers quarterback room of veterans Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard.

Rodgers has already taken a liking to the sixth-round pick Howard.

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“Will’s a good kid. We’ve got to talk a little bit. I thought he did really well today,” Rodgers said during Tuesday’s post-practice media availability.

“You know, he seems pretty bright.

“Not too big for him.

“Going through the progressions really well.”