Steelers legend Jerome Bettis says there's 'excitement in the air' as Aaron Rodgers returns for final season

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Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis got what he was hoping for: Aaron Rodgers to play one more season in the black and gold.

The Steelers officially signed Rodgers to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million last week, and Bettis said there is excitement in the air.

"It was hoped, not necessarily expected, was hoped that he would consider coming back for one more year. Now it's an excitement in the air obviously knowing that it is his last year as well. We're in that space where we're excited about the upcoming season," Bettis told Fox News Digital.

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Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Rodgers told reporters that this upcoming season will be the final season of his illustrious career. Bettis said that the Steelers want to send him off on a high note, and they want to have a great season too.

"You want to send him off well, but you also want to have a great season and look forward to the future. So, there's a lot of excitement around Aaron coming back for his last year," Bettis said.

Last season was Rodgers’ first with the Steelers, and he started 16 games while missing one due to injury. The four-time NFL MVP proved he still had some juice left in the tank, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Before the Steelers signed Rodgers, they drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as their backup