Aaron Rodgers refused to commit to any definitive statement regarding his playing future following Pittsburgh's comprehensive 30-6 defeat to the Houston Texans in Monday night's wild-card contest.
The 42-year-old quarterback, speaking to reporters after the match, made clear he would not be rushed into a verdict.
"I'm not going to make any emotional decisions," Rodgers stated. "Disappointed, obviously. It was such a fun year. Lot of adversity, but a lot of fun."
The veteran signal-caller acknowledged he intended to step away and hold "the right conversations" before determining his next move.
Aaron Rodgers has refused to reveal whether he is retiring or not
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Pittsburgh's season concluded in brutal fashion, leaving Rodgers' NFL future shrouded in uncertainty.
Fresh details emerged regarding Rodgers' mindset in the weeks preceding Monday's elimination.
ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters disclosed a conversation from Week 15 in which the quarterback offered a telling response about his intentions.
"We asked him, 'Is this it?' He said 'probably,'" Salters revealed. "He said, for him, it feels like this is the end."
Rodgers had previously signalled his expectations during the summer, telling The Pat McAfee Show in June: "Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is it. That's why we just did a one-year deal."
Aaron Rodgers suffered a torrid time against Houston's defence
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The quarterback described his Pittsburgh tenure as being "about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace."
Rodgers endured a torrid evening against Houston's defence, completing just 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards whilst being brought down four times.
The contest unravelled catastrophically in the final quarter, with two turnovers directly resulting in Texans scores.
A fumble was returned for a touchdown, whilst an interception was taken back to the end zone, transforming a competitive affair into a rout.
Broadcasting legend Troy Aikman offered a stark assessment during the telecast.
"I think we are watching Aaron Rodgers' last game," Aikman remarked, adding he doubted the quarterback would seek to return with Pittsburgh or any other franchise.
Rodgers departs the stage, should this prove his final bow, with credentials befitting the game's elite practitioners.
Aaron Rodgers is still going strong at 42 - though whether he returns next season remains to be seen
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His career yielded four Most Valuable Player awards, a Super Bowl championship, and selection to ten Pro Bowls across spells with Green Bay, New York and Pittsburgh.
The statistical record stands at 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown throws accumulated over 264 appearances, with 163 victories in 257 regular-season starts.
His Pittsburgh campaign produced 24 touchdowns and an AFC North divisional title.
Rodgers's career has yielded four Most Valuable Player awards, a Super Bowl championship, and selection to ten Pro Bowls across spells with Green Bay, New York and Pittsburgh
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Reports from NFL Network indicated the Steelers remained receptive to retaining Rodgers for 2026, though the quarterback acknowledged free agency would present "maybe one or two" alternatives should he elect to continue.