Aaron Rodgers Threatens Retirement If Steelers Don’t Meet $50 Million Demand, Deemed Too High by Art Rooney II

In a dramatic escalation of his ongoing saga with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers dropped a bombshell on March 25, 2025, declaring he will retire this year unless the team signs him to a $50 million contract. The 41-year-old quarterback, fresh off a rollercoaster 2024 split between the New York Jets and a brief Steelers stint, made the announcement on his podcast, The Aaron Rodgers Experience, doubling down on his earlier ultimatum about joining Bo Nix in Denver. However, Steelers owner Art Rooney II has pushed back, calling the price tag “too high” for a player nearing the end of his career, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.

Rodgers, a four-time MVP and Super Bowl XLV winner, has been in talks with Pittsburgh, where he briefly teamed up with Russell Wilson last season. His demand—a one-year, $50 million deal—reflects his belief in his enduring value, citing his 2024 stats: 3,800 yards, 28 touchdowns, and a playoff push that fell just short. “I’m still elite. Pittsburgh gets me, or I’m done,” Rodgers said, his tone defiant. He hinted at retirement as a way to “go out on my terms,” rather than bounce between teams or take a pay cut.

Art Rooney II, however, isn’t biting. In a rare public statement, the Steelers owner expressed admiration for Rodgers but balked at the cost. “Aaron’s a Hall of Famer, no question. But $50 million for one year, at 41, with our cap situation—that’s too high a price to pay,” Rooney said, pointing to the team’s commitments to Wilson, Najee Harris, and a rising defense. Analysts agree, noting that Rodgers’ age and injury history (a nagging calf issue in 2024) make the investment risky, even for a franchise desperate to reclaim AFC North supremacy.

Fans are torn. X posts range from “Pay the man, he’s worth it!” to “Rooney’s right—$50M is insane for a retiree.” If Rodgers walks away, his legacy—18 seasons, 510 touchdowns, and one ring—remains intact, but the Steelers could rue missing his spark. For now, Pittsburgh holds firm, leaving Rodgers at a crossroads: lower his demands, join Denver, or hang up his cleats. The NFL waits, breathless, for his next move.