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Dan Marino wants to see Aaron Rodgers continue playing for the Steelers beyond the 2025 campaign
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a potentially season-saving victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, and that was thanks in large part to a strong performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While it hasn’t always been perfect, Rodgers has guided the Steelers to first place in the AFC North as we head into the final four weeks of the regular season.
What the future holds for Rodgers beyond the 2025 campaign, though, is unknown. He only signed a one-year contract with the team in free agency over the offseason, and he made it seem like he planned on this being his final year in the league before the regular season got underway. And yet, he could return to the field in 2026, which is something legendary Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino wants to see happen.
Dan Marino Hopes Aaron Rodgers Sticks with Steelers Past 2025 Season
This is year No. 21 in the NFL for Rodgers, and while he isn’t the quarterback he was during the peak of his career with the Green Bay Packers, he’s still proven he can out and win football games while playing at a high level under center. Retirement is obviously a question at this stage of the game, as Rodgers just turned 42 years old earlier this month, but he’s still going strong, even as he approaches the end of his career.
After a rough season with the New York Jets in 2024, Rodgers has turned in a bounce-back campaign so far with the Steelers. In 12 games, Rodgers has thrown for 2,370 yards while racking up 21 total touchdowns, with Pittsburgh winning seven of his 12 starts. While a playoff spot is not guaranteed yet, Rodgers has put his new team in position to potentially go on a deep run this year.
The Steelers made it clear that they are focusing solely on the 2025 campaign for the time being, but at some point, they are going to have to figure out what their future looks like at the quarterback position. Whether or not that future involves Rodgers is unknown at this time, but Marino is hoping that this won’t be his final season in the league.
“He has been an incredible player,” Marino said of Rodgers, per DJ Siddiqi of Poker Scout. “He throws it as good as anybody ever has in the league, and hopefully he continues to play, because it’s in your heart, it’s in your soul, your mind. You want to do it. He’s been doing it at a high level for a very long time. Hopefully, he can continue to do that.”
What Should the Steelers Do with Aaron Rodgers Moving Forward?
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beyond the 2025 campaign, the Steelers don’t really have a plan at quarterback. It pretty much entirely depends on what Rodgers decides to do. If he wants to continue playing, Pittsburgh would reportedly welcome him back with open arms. But if he opts to retire and call it a career, that would force the team’s front office to find a replacement.
The goal for the time being is to go as far as possible this season with Rodgers in charge before deciding what the future holds. However, it’s clear that this is going to be a big question for Pittsburgh once the offseason rolls around, regardless of how their current campaign ends. In typical fashion, Rodgers has kept his cards close to his chest, and his status will once again be one of the top storylines of the upcoming offseason.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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