'I was laughing': Aaron Rodgers gets asked if he'd pull a Philip Rivers and come out of retirement, and his response is shockingly different from what everyone expected

Aaron Rodgers has made it clear that once he steps away from the NFL, he’s done for good. The star quarterback shut down any speculation about a potential comeback after 44-year-old Philip Rivers stunned the football world by ending his retirement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts.

Rodgers’ firm stance surprised many. Throughout his career, he has been known for wavering on major decisions, especially when it comes to his long-term future. Fans and analysts often joked that if any quarterback were to un-retire for one last run, it would be Rodgers – a hyper-competitive player who thrives on big moments and has openly acknowledged how much he loves the atmosphere of an NFL locker room.

But this time, he isn’t leaving any room for interpretation. According to Outkick, Rodgers insists that once he hangs up his cleats, there will be no dramatic comeback, no late-season rescue mission, and no one-year nostalgia tour. For now, at least, he’s determined to shut down all the chatter before it gains momentum.

Rodgers jokes about no longer being the oldest quarterback

Before the Steelers played the Miami Dolphins on Monday, reporters asked Rodgers about Rivers coming back. The news has been a big topic across the league this week. With Rivers returning, Rodgers is no longer the oldest quarterback in the NFL, which he seems happy about. “Well, I’m not the oldest guy in the league; love that,” Rodgers joked.

Rivers’ return is remarkable because he’s been away from football for so long. He hasn’t played in the NFL for five full seasons, which means four complete seasons plus most of this current one. That’s a huge break from competitive play. It will be interesting to see if he can perform well against the Seahawks defense.

Rodgers thought the whole situation was funny. He said his friends had already texted him asking what he would do if he were Rivers. Rodgers has been handling tough questions from reporters quite well lately. His answer was quick and clear.

“I was laughing because a couple buddies hit me up asking what I would do in the situation, and I said, without missing a beat, ‘I’m retired. I’m staying retired,'” Rodgers said.

That’s a strong statement from someone who has publicly questioned his future in football before. Coming out of retirement isn’t unusual in the NFL. Rivers is just the latest player to realize he wasn’t ready to stop playing. Teddy Bridgewater came back earlier this year. And Tom Brady had the shortest retirement ever, returning after just a month and a half away from the game.

But Rodgers wants everyone to know that when he retires, it’s permanent. For now, he needs to focus on leading the Steelers, who are currently at the top of the AFC North. The quarterback has been addressing questions about the team’s performance throughout the season as they push for playoff success.