‘Emotional’ Aaron Rodgers asked about retirement | Sports News

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confessed that his return to the NFL Playoffs after a three-year hiatus was “pretty emotional,” particularly following a thrilling win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers triumphed over the Ravens 26-24 within the final recreation of the common season, securing the AFC North Division and arranging a Wild Card Game at home in opposition to the Houston Texans on Monday, Jan. 12. Rodgers inked a one-year contract with the Steelers this previous offseason and efficiently guided them to the playoffs, incomes a $500,000 bonus.

Rodgers’ achievement comes on the heels of a lackluster two-year tenure with the New York Jets, which concluded with the appointment of Aaron Glenn as head coach. Post-game, Rodgers expressed each disbelief and emotion, skillfully dodging a query about his future within the NFL.

A nail-biting finish to the playoff decider noticed Ravens kicker Tyler Loop miss a potential game-winning discipline aim, which might have ousted the Steelers and awarded Baltimore the AFC North title. Loop’s botched kick got here after Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed an further level.

The lead switched arms 4 instances within the ultimate quarter, as each rivals vied for the division title and a spot within the postseason. Rodgers was noticed celebrating on the sidelines, a stark distinction to his earlier response of shaking his head on the bench when Boswell’s miss put the Steelers at risk.

Following the competition, Rodgers was questioned about the chaotic ending in Pittsburgh by NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark.

“That sucks. That’s the worst part of this game,” Rodgers instructed NBC Sports. “I’d rather have the ball in my hand.”

Rodgers was accompanied on the sphere by T. J. Watt and Cam Heyward and expressed his gratitude for the 2 standouts.

“We haven’t made it easy for ourselves most of the year. But it was a huge lift having this guy come back (TJ Watt),” Rodgers added.

“This guy (Heyward) had a great pregame talk that got us focused. On offense, we didn’t handle our business in the first half, but in the second half, we came out with a different focus. We went down and scored.”

When Rodgers was questioned about what it meant to him personally, the four-time MVP responded, “It’s pretty emotional, honestly. It’s been a great year, so I’m thankful for these guys and excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a while.”

The NFL veteran was subsequently questioned about his future, as Rodgers has contemplated retirement on a number of events, and solely inked a one-year contract with the Steelers. When Stark inquired whether or not Rodgers would “ride off into the sunset” after this season, he answered, “No, it’s just been a grinding year, and the two years before that were tough as well.

“It’s been an absolute blessing to be right here, with these followers and this group, and Mike T (Tomlin), and the leaders we have got. I feel we simply discovered that little bit of one thing particular, which is perception tonight. I’m proud of our guys and the best way we responded within the fourth quarter.”

Baltimore held a 10-3 advantage at the break, with wide receiver Devontez Walker finding the end zone for the sole touchdown of the opening half. Steelers running back Connor Heyward punched in a one-yard rushing score in the third quarter, before Boswell nailed a field goal to give Pittsburgh the advantage.

The momentum then shifted repeatedly during the final 15 minutes, as Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reached the end zone twice, while Kenneth Gainwell and Calvin Austin found pay dirt for the Steelers. Ultimately, the AFC North clash was decided by the place kickers.

When pressed by Stark about his motivational pregame speech to the team, Heyward revealed: “I used to be simply saying, ‘Let’s be a little bit egocentric tonight, we’re taking part in for everybody in that locker room.’

“We dedicate our lives to this, and everyone came to play. It wasn’t just one person. It was a team effort. Was it pretty? No. But we got the job done.”