Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not getting an easy sendoff by the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially announced that the 2026 NFL season will be the last of his career.
"Yes. This is it," Rodgers said when he was asked about whether he had considered it possibly being his final season.
However, if Rodgers wants the storybook ending many are likely imagining, he's going to have to truly earn it.
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis , Rodgers and the Steelers will face the third-toughest schedule of pass defenses, including five games against the top four units from a year ago in the Houston Texans (No. 1), Cleveland Browns (No. 2), Philadelphia Eagles (No. 3) and Denver Broncos (No. 4).
That might not be what Rodgers envisioned having to do on his way out, but knowing his competitive spirit, he probably wouldn't have it any other way.
The Texans, Eagles, and Broncos will certainly all prove to be very difficult tests. The Steelers were embarrassed 30-6 by Houston in the wild card round of the playoffs last season and haven't won in Philadelphia since 1965. Meanwhile, Denver is coming off an AFC Championship Game appearance.
However, the Steelers are very familiar with the Browns, who they'll get to face twice as a divisional opponent.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 28, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Rodgers may have another thing going for him, too, as he is reuniting with Mike McCarthy , who was his head coach the last and only time he ever hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The two just so happened to defeat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
Only time will tell how Rodgers' NFL story will end, but it's safe to assume it will be entertaining either way.
Last season, Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title while passing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions at 42.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Aaron Rodgers to Face Massive Test in Final NFL Season
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