Ben Roethlisberger says he feels good about his former team landing Aaron Rodgers, but he’s also hinting that this might be Rodgers’ last dance. While he’s not calling it quits for the quarterback just yet, Ben sees signs that the end could be near.
It’s a mix of timing, circumstances, and instinct. Nothing confirmed yet, but it’s enough to raise eyebrows about what’s really ahead for Rodgers in Pittsburgh or, as a matter of fact, anywhere in the league.
Rodgers Nearing the End, Says Ben
Ben Roethlisberger didn’t mince words when talking about Aaron Rodgers’ future in the NFL. “I don’t think he’s got much more after this year,” Ben said. “I think this might be it for him.” It’s not a knock on Rodgers’ talent or ability, but rather an observation rooted in Roethlisberger’s own experience with late-career recovery and what that process reveals.
Ben, who returned from major elbow surgery in 2020, shared a key insight that informs his belief. “Coming off my elbow, my first year back, I felt like I was 100… You don’t realize that you are not 100 till the next year when you are a 100.” In other words, a player’s first year back from a serious injury often feels deceptively good until they experience what true health actually feels like a year later.
That’s where Ben believes Rodgers stands. “He’s coming one year last year off his Achilles, he’s probably like, ‘I felt pretty good.’ This year he’s going to be better, like in the sense of body feeling better, doesn’t mean he’ll play better.”
The distinction is subtle but telling. Ben isn’t doubting Rodgers’ physical shape or competitiveness. He’s pointing to a familiar recovery arc. The body feels improved in year two, but that improvement often coincides with a growing awareness of how close the finish line is. And for Ben, that awareness came quickly.
Given that context, Roethlisberger’s comments feel less like an outside opinion and more like peer insight, one veteran quarterback reading the signs in another. Rodgers may still have plenty to give, but in Roethlisberger’s eyes, the clock is ticking faster than ever.
Marriage Milestone Hints at NFL Exit
Aaron Rodgers just confirmed he secretly got married this offseason. The rumors circulated way before he signed with the Steelers, as fans noticed him sporting a wedding ring on his ring finger at his annual appearance at the Kentucky Derby early in May.
When asked directly if he was married in his first press conference in black and gold uniform, Rodgers simply said, “Yeah, it’s a wedding ring.” He wore the ring during drills with his new team and didn’t hide it.
This quiet reveal comes two months after the wedding, though he didn’t share who his wife is.
Given that Rodgers is 41 and only signed for a single season, this could be a big signal that he’s gearing up to leave football behind for good after this year. It’s not uncommon for players to step away when personal priorities shift, especially after a major milestone like marriage.
So while he’s still active for now, this might be Rodgers’ final run in the NFL.