Aaron Rodgers retirement stance takes a twist as the Pittsburgh Steelers QB sticks to his final season plan amid breaking Peyton Manning’s NFL record

Aaron Rodgers gave Pittsburgh Steelers fans another reason to celebrate. He passed Peyton Manning on the NFL’s all-time regular-season passing touchdown list during a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Paris. But the record-breaking moment did not change his mind about retirement. Rodgers has already said the 2026 NFL season will be his last, and he made it clear after the game that he has no plans to return for another year.The 42-year-old quarterback has enjoyed a strong run with Pittsburgh in recent weeks. His latest milestone added another achievement to his Hall of Fame career. Still, fans hoping the victory might convince him to stay longer got a firm answer. Rodgers wants to finish his NFL career this season and spend more time with his growing family. Aaron Rodgers shuts down retirement u-turn after Steelers’ win in ParisA reporter asked Rodgers about playing another season during his postgame press conference in Paris. The question came after his memorable touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington helped Pittsburgh take control against New Orleans.Rodgers did not leave much room for debate.“No, no, no,” the Steelers quarterback replied when asked if the reporter could convince him to play one more year.He also spoke about enjoying the NFL’s international games. Rodgers played in London in 2022 and 2024 before facing the Saints in France. He explained that Green Bay rarely played overseas because of Lambeau Field’s home-field advantage.“I’ve enjoyed the last two especially international games,” Rodgers said during the Paris postgame press conference.His comments followed a retirement announcement he made on May 20, 2026. During a news conference at the Steelers’ organized team activities in Pittsburgh, Rodgers confirmed that this season would mark the end of his NFL career.“Yes. This is it,” he told reporters when asked if 2026 would be his final season.The decision came after Mike Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh’s head coach following the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Houston Texans in January. Rodgers had considered walking away, but the team’s decision to hire Mike McCarthy changed his thinking.Rodgers spent 13 seasons playing under McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers. They won Super Bowl XLV together, giving the quarterback another reason to return for one final season. Why Aaron Rodgers wants to leave the NFL after the 2026 seasonRodgers has also started thinking about life after football. During an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio with Adam Schein, he discussed his plans to support his pregnant wife and begin a new chapter away from the spotlight.“I’m hopefully gonna be supporting my pregnant wife, because we’re gonna start a family,” Rodgers said on the radio show. “And I am not gonna be making a lot of appearances or statements, and I’m looking forward to a life of quiet after 23 years in the pros and three in college.”For now, though, Rodgers still has football to play. His 2025 season with Pittsburgh brought 3,322 passing yards and 24 touchdowns across 16 games. He also took 29 sacks, showing the physical demands that come with playing late into his career.Against the Saints on October 25, Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown without an interception. His four-yard scoring pass to Washington gave him 540 career regular-season touchdown passes, moving him past Manning’s 539.Only Drew Brees, with 571, and Tom Brady, with 649, now sit ahead of Rodgers on the list.The record adds another major achievement to his final NFL season. But Rodgers has already made his intentions clear. Unless he changes his mind, the 2026 campaign will be his last, regardless of what records he breaks before it ends.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.