NEED TO KNOW
-
Aaron Rodgers is speaking out about signing with the Steelers
-
On the same day that he confirmed his marriage, the quarterback said the decision to keep playing was “best for my soul”
-
After a disappointing two-year stint with the Jets, Rodgers is returning for his 21st season in the NFL
Amid news of his marriage, Aaron Rodgers is sharing more about why he decided to return to the NFL for his 21st season.
“I don’t need it for my ego,” Rodgers, 41, told reporters on Tuesday, June 10. “I don’t need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions that I’ve made over my career and life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.”
He continued, “This was a decision that was best for my soul, and I felt like being here with coach [Mike Tomlin] and the guys that got here and the opportunity here was the best for me and I’m excited to be here.”
On Saturday, June 7, the former New York Jets and Green Bay Packers quarterback signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after months of rumors that he was courting the team.
Rodgers’ comments came on the same day that he confirmed that the dark-colored band on his left ring finger is indeed a wedding ring.
NFL/Instagram
Aaron Rodgers
During media availability, the NFL star said he was married “a couple months” ago after a reporter asked about the ring that he has been sporting in recent weeks.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Rodgers first revealed he had a new girlfriend during a December 2024 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He gave few details about his new partner, Brittani, but shared that she tends to stay out of the spotlight — a departure from many of his past romances with former race car driver Danica Patrick, and actresses Olivia Munn and Shailene Woodley.
The signal-caller also expanded on the reason for his delay in signing with the Steelers — and what he hopes his role with the team will look like.
“I was dealing with a lot of things in my personal life, and some things improved a little bit where I felt like I could fully be all in here with the guys,” Rodgers said.
He added, “I just want to be a servant leader here and just pass on the knowledge that I’ve had for 20 years, the experience and just try and fit in with the guys, get to know ’em, let them get to know me and just enjoy the process,” he said. “This is — everything’s new. It’s like the first day of school. I don’t know a lot of guys’ names. They don’t have names on the back of the jerseys here. They don’t have names on the doors in the meeting rooms. I literally walk out of the locker room, lost, try and grab somebody, ‘Hey, where am I going?’ But I’ll get the feel of it, and I’m excited about making this home.”
Read the original article on People
