The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 season came to a crashing halt with a blowout loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round-a game that left fans with more questions than answers. At home, in front of a stunned crowd, the Steelers' offense sputtered to just six points while the Texans’ defense found the end zone multiple times. It wasn’t just a loss-it was a statement game, and unfortunately, the statement was that Pittsburgh’s current formula wasn’t working.
The fallout was immediate. Just one day after the defeat, Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach, ending a storied tenure that brought stability, competitiveness, and a Super Bowl title to the franchise. Now, the Steelers are staring down a pivotal offseason with two massive decisions looming: who will lead the team from the sidelines-and who, if anyone, will be under center.
That second question revolves around Aaron Rodgers, whose future is now the subject of widespread speculation. After a rocky performance against Houston, many are wondering whether this was the last time we’ll see Rodgers in an NFL uniform. At 42, and after 21 years in the league, the clock is ticking-and Rodgers knows it.
But not everyone is ready to see him walk away just yet. Kevin Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, weighed in on Rodgers’ legacy and potential retirement during an appearance on The Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.
“If he comes back and plays, that would be amazing, but if not, he had 21 years in the league. Come on, man.
That's a generational athlete in my opinion, someone who can last that long at that high of a level at that position. That's incredible,” Durant said.
It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s watched Rodgers’ career unfold. From his early days in Green Bay to his late-career stint in Pittsburgh, Rodgers has been one of the defining quarterbacks of his generation.
Monday night’s loss doesn’t erase that. But for a competitor like Rodgers, going out on a lopsided playoff defeat might not sit well.
The idea of returning for one final run-one final shot at rewriting the ending-has to be tempting.
That said, Rodgers’ potential return isn’t just about what he wants. The Steelers are entering a transitional phase. With Tomlin gone, the front office is tasked with hiring a new head coach-someone who may prefer to build around a younger quarterback and start fresh rather than lean into another year with a veteran nearing the end of his career.
It’s a crossroads moment for the franchise. Rodgers’ decision will be one part of the equation, but the direction Pittsburgh chooses to go with its coaching search could ultimately shape the outcome. If the next head coach is looking to rebuild from the ground up, the Rodgers era in Pittsburgh may be over before it ever truly found its footing.
One thing is clear: the Steelers have a lot of work to do this offseason. From the quarterback position to the head coaching job, the next few months will define the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. Whether Rodgers is part of that future remains to be seen-but his legacy, regardless of what comes next, is already secure.