Aaron Rodgers might be wishing he had called it a career after all. That's the take from Rob Gronkowski, who believes the 42-year-old quarterback is already second-guessing his decision to suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
Rodgers put retirement talk to rest in the offseason, signing on for another year in Pittsburgh. But through two games, the future Hall of Famer has looked far from his old self. He's averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt with one touchdown, and Sunday's 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots was particularly ugly: 187 passing yards, no scores, and a pick.
Gronkowski, who watched his former team torch the Steelers, couldn't help but wonder what's going through Rodgers' mind. "Aaron Rodgers is probably thinking that he should have retired last year," Gronk told former Patriots teammate Julian Edelman on Fox Sports. "After watching the first two weeks, I'm saying that's what he was probably thinking. He may be thinking that if it continues the way it continues for the Steelers. I mean, there's just no juice on that offensive side of the ball."
Edelman pushed back, arguing it's too early to draw conclusions. But the numbers tell a grim story. Pittsburgh ranks 30th in total offense, managing just 350 yards through two games. Their only two touchdowns came from a J.J. Watt pick-six and one offensive score. Rodgers' 31.6 QBR is 30th among starters, ahead of only Justin Herbert and Cooper Rush. He's been sacked six times, including a brutal hit that forced a fumble in the first half Sunday.
The rocky start has also stirred up drama. Some observers felt Rodgers subtly criticized offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy's playcalling after the loss. "In a game like today where there wasn't a lot of flow to it, we need to be better, and it starts with me," Rodgers said. "At like, making sure that Mike knows what's working and what's not working. The coaches know, so that we can call stuff that gives us a better chance."
It's not the first time Rodgers has found himself in the headlines for his words. He's previously thrown McCarthy under the bus after a rough outing, and his history of blunt commentary has followed him throughout his career. Off the field, his personal life has also been a regular topic, from his past relationships to more recent social media spats.
For now, Rodgers and the Steelers have a chance to quiet the noise. A win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday would go a long way toward easing the pressure and maybe proving Gronk wrong. But if the struggles continue, the retirement questions will only get louder.
