This is it for Aaron Rodgers. He even said it himself.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 42-year-old quarterback plans to retire after the 2026 season. After this, his 22nd year in the league, he's calling it a career.
That means his team's Oct. 1 clash with the Cleveland Browns will be the last "Thursday Night Football" game of his career. Rodgers has a history of success in prime time, going 48-31 in 79 regular-season appearances in games played in on Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights – and when excluding three games with fewer than five pass attempts (like his Jets debut).
Here's everything to know about Rodgers' upcoming retirement, "Thursday Night Football" record and more:
Is Aaron Rodgers retiring?
Yes, Rodgers announced
at a press conference in May that he intends to retire after the 2026 season – his 22nd year in the NFL.
"This is it," he said then.
Rodgers doubled down on that sentiment as he returned to training camp on July 28. One reporter asked whether the veteran was debating playing another season after this year.
Said Rodgers: "No. Zero debate."
Aaron Rodgers 'Thursday Night Football' record
Rodgers is 13-6 on "Thursday Night Football" entering the Oct. 1 clash with the Browns. Barring a shocking return to the NFL in 2027 (or later), the Browns vs. Steelers game will be the last Thursday game in his career.
Aaron Rodgers 2026 stats
Rodgers has started all three of the Steelers' games so far this year. Here's how his stats look through Week 3 of his age-43 season:
- Completion rate: 66-of-113 (58.4%)
- Passing yards: 700
- Passing TDs: 4
- INTs: 2
- Yards per attempt: 6.2
- Passer rating: 81.0
- Rushing: Seven attempts for 12 yards (1.7 yards per carry)
Rodgers' completion rate, yards per attempt and passer rating are all on pace to be his lowest in a season since his first as a full-time starter in 2008.
Aaron Rogers career stats
Despite a relative statistical decline over the past few seasons, Rodgers' numbers paint the picture of a likely future Hall of Famer. Here's his career stats heading into season 22:
- Completion rate: 5,762-of-8,856 (65.1%)
- Passing yards: 66,974
- Passing TDs: 531
- INTs: 125
- Yards per attempt: 7.6
- Passer rating: 101.9
- Rushing: 769 attempts for 3,646 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 36 touchdowns
Rodgers is currently the active leader in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. He's also on pace to finish his career as the all-time leader in career interception percentage (1.4%) and sacks taken (608 so far).
How old is Aaron Rodgers?
Rodgers is 42 years old. Because his birthday is in December, the Steelers' quarterback will be 43 years old by the time the regular season wraps up in early January 2027.
Rodgers is the oldest active quarterback in the NFL, but he is sixth oldest all-time among quarterbacks to have started a game. Tom Brady (17 starts at 45 years old) is the oldest starting quarterback in history. George Blanda (three pass attempts at 48) is the oldest quarterback to appear in a game.
Aaron Rodgers career timeline
- Green Bay Packers (2005-22)
- New York Jets (2023-24)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2025-present)
Rodgers spent the first 18 years of his career in Green Bay, where he won four NFL MVP awards, earned 10 Pro Bowl nods and was named Super Bowl 45 MVP in a Packers victory over the Steelers. Since then, he has played 18 games for the Jets and 19 games for Pittsburgh.
All-time, Rodgers has a 165-94-1 career record as a starter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers playing final 'Thursday Night Football' game vs Browns
