Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers rumored to join Green Bay Packers’ rival if he returns in 2026 season

Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca retreat lover or “darkness retreat” lover, as named by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, signed a one-year contract worth $13.6 million with the Steelers for the 2025 season. In June, Rodgers told Pat McAfee that 2025 would be the final season of his storied NFL career. “That’s why we just did a one-year deal,” Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show. “This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had. I mean, I’ve played [----] 20 years, you know? It’s been a long run, and I’ve enjoyed it. What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys and a city that expects you to win.”Then came the season in which, as of December, Rodgers accumulated impeccable stats: 65.2% completion percentage, 2086 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 95.4 quarterback rating. As of Week 13, Pittsburgh has six wins and six losses. They have a 31% chance of making the NFL playoffs. If they win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, their odds rise to 62%. If they lose, their chances drop to 15%. If they win all four remaining games, their chances increase to 70-90%.On December 7, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 with a score of 27-22. They now have seven wins and six losses. They lead the AFC North division, and their playoff chances have risen to 62-67% from 31%. They also have a high probability of winning the division title. Entering the postseason with a chance to fight for the Super Bowl would be Rodgers’ dream come true, but if not, he would become a free agent next season. Rumors have already started swirling. If he returns in the 2026 season and does not retire in 2025, he may join the Green Bay Packers’ rival, the Minnesota Vikings.Two main factors reportedly attract the veteran quarterback to joining the Vikings. One is his long-standing friendship with Minnesota’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell, which has lasted 17 years. They used to work out at the same facility, Fitness Quest 10, in North County San Diego during the offseasons. Rodgers has called O’Connell a good friend and one of the guys he keeps in touch with. Another factor is that Rodgers was reportedly looking to retire NFL legend Brett Favre-style. Favre played for both the Packers and the Vikings. Rodgers began his NFL career with Green Bay in 2005.Rodgers has always been a master of the unexpected. In October 2025, just ahead of the Packers vs. Steelers matchup, he teased reporters about the possibility of a Green Bay reunion. "Feel so good about my time there because of my football career, and my football career starts, and will end one day, with Green Bay," Rodgers said. "So got a lot of love for all those memories."A third storyline centers on the Vikings’ ongoing quarterback woes and a season that has unraveled. J.J. McCarthy’s much-anticipated NFL regular season debut was once again hampered by injuries, though he managed to appear in six of thirteen games. His stats tell a tough story: a 54.1 percent completion rate, 929 passing yards, six touchdowns, ten interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 57.9. By nearly every measure, and in the eyes of many fans, McCarthy has become a symbol of disappointment for Minnesota. As December arrives, the Vikings sit at four wins and eight losses, their playoff hopes (< 1%) all but vanished, nearly extinguished by Week 13.According to Evan Massey of The Sporting News, the Vikings were high on Aaron Rodgers’ list of potential teams for the 2025 offseason, with some reports even hinting he favored Minnesota over Pittsburgh. With J.J. McCarthy struggling in his rookie regular-season year as the Vikings’ starter, the stage could be set for Rodgers to swoop in, ignite a Super Bowl charge, and then make a memorable exit. Of course, this is all speculation. Rodgers could just as easily hang up his cleats after 2025. But if he decides to play on, Minnesota instantly becomes a team to watch. After his stellar performance this season, Rodgers is sure to dominate headlines after headlines throughout the 2026 offseason.On December 16, MLFootball shared a query on X: "Should the Kansas City Chiefs sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal? Rodgers has had a solid season and at 42, he would be the perfect one-year replacement for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would remain a legitimate contender. Rodgers is a Super Bowl champion and 4-time NFL MVP."Aaron Rodgers recently spoke on Philip Rivers' return and shared his thoughts on retirement. "Well, I'm not the oldest guy in the league, love that," Rodgers told ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I was laughing because a couple buddies hit me up asking what I would do in the situation, and I said, without missing a beat, 'I'm retired. I'm staying retired.'"Rodgers is reportedly known for being unpredictable, especially with his waiting game with the New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers, and NFL fans regarding his offseason decisions. Even if he is reportedly hinting at retirement before and during the 2025 season, only the 2026 offseason, will truly reveal his retirement decision, unless another team like the Vikings reportedly asks him to join for another year.Also Read: Aaron Rodgers’ Supposedly Troubled Relationships with Shailene Woodley, Olivia Munn, and Danica Patrick