Rob Gronkowski wonders if Aaron Rodgers wishes he retired in the offseason

After toying with the idea of retirement over the past few years, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers made clear heading into his 2026 campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers that this would be his final year in the NFL.

The stage was set for a potential storybook ending for Rodgers, as he was reuniting with coach Mike McCarthy, with whom he won a Super Bowl in Green Bay. But after two ugly games to start the season, Fox analyst Rob Gronkowski is already wondering if Rodgers wishes he had hung up his cleats before the start of the year.

“Aaron Rodgers is probably thinking that he should have retired last year,” Gronkowski told his former New England Patriots teammate Julian Edelman. “After watching the first two weeks, I’m saying that’s what he was probably thinking. He may be thinking that if it continues the way it continues for the Steelers. I mean, there’s just no juice on that offensive side of the ball.”

While Edelman protested that it was far too early in the season for Rodgers to be having such thoughts, Gronkowski doubled down, citing a stat that showed just how stagnant the Steelers offense has been through two games.

Is Aaron Rodgers wishing he retired?@RobGronkowski and @Edelman11 with a Week 2 “overreaction.” pic.twitter.com/iaDN4N55q1

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 21, 2026

Given that we are only two games into the season, and especially considering that the Steelers are 1–1, it definitely feels a bit too early to think Rodgers is regretting his decision to come back.

That said, the numbers are not great. Pittsburgh has two touchdowns on the season so far, and one of them is a pick-six from linebacker T.J. Watt. There’s still plenty of time left in the year for Rodgers to show he still has some of the magic left in him, but if he doesn’t, Gronkowski is right— this could be a long year.