Aaron Rodgers was once again the talk of Pittsburgh this past week when he announced that this would be his final season. For NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, this announcement seems intentional.
“Aaron Rodgers never says anything accidentally,” said Pelissero on a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “Everything he says has a reason behind it… This also puts the rest of that locker room on notice. I need everything out of all of you because this is it.”
The 42-year-old Rodgers was reportedly considering retirement before he announced his comeback, deciding to return for one last run. As Pelissero says, with it being his last run, he could be using that to motivate the team.
From all reports, Rodgers was a good teammate last season, so it shouldn’t be hard to get players to rally towards his cause. Perhaps with the idea of doing it for the old gunslinger, he could get the best out of his teammates.
“He says it publicly, but he means it so that everybody in that locker room hears it,” said Pelissero. “2026 is my final year. I’m not back for money; I’m not back for publicity. I’m back to win it all right now, so whatever you got, leave it all on the field.”
For a team lacking playoff success over the last decade, any motivator is welcome. There’s also the added caveat that Rodgers will be reuniting with his first head coach, Mike McCarthy. The two seem to have a good relationship, creating a full-circle moment. If the team can go on a run, it would make a fairy-tale ending.
The Steelers are certainly a better team on paper now than they were last season. They have improved their offensive line depth and wide receiver room and added some solid pieces on defense. The new coaching staff should also give the team a boost after a stale end to the Tomlin era. If the team can get a better Rodgers than last year, who knows? Maybe the team can give Rodgers a final run that would make Hollywood producers blush.