Aaron Rodgers Embracing 'chasing The Ring' Mentality In Year 22

At the end of the day, isn't every professional sports player "chasing a ring"?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinks so. The NFL veteran is poised to enter his 22nd year in the league, and he told USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell in an exclusive interview that he's embracing the mentality of seeking another championship.

"Using the term, 'chasing the ring' is usually applying to, like, old guys, like LeBron (James) going to Philly and me still hanging around," Rodgers said. "But if you're not doing that, what are you doing?"

"Ring-chasing" has become a taboo act in sports fandom circles over the last decade, and it's been an especially hot topic of conversation this offseason after NBA superstar LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Fans criticize talented veteran players who approach the latter stages of their career with an emphasized focus on winning a trophy. Often, veteran players – like James, in basketball – join teams already loaded with talent to push them closer to winning a championship.

AARON RODGERS: Steelers QB has more to say on Fauci, ESPN, family and football | Exclusive

In Rodgers' mind, the idea of ring-chasing has been a main focus for his entire career.

"I mean, I was chasing the ring when I was in the first year starting, but our team wasn't the team in '08 that was probably championship-caliber," Rodgers said.

It wasn't until his third season in 2010 that the Rodgers-led Packers went on to win the Super Bowl. The veteran quarterback is still chasing a second Super Bowl appearance – and a second ring.

The Steelers, a team that shares the record for most Super Bowl championships (six), have had trouble in the playoffs in recent years. Since losing to Rodgers and the Packers in Super Bowl 45, Pittsburgh hasn't been back to the Big Game. The Steelers lost the AFC championship to the Patriots after the 2016 season, and they haven't won a game in the postseason since.

STEELERS: Aaron Rodgers invokes Anthony Fauci while dodging Pat McAfee question

Last year, Rodgers led the Steelers to a 10-7 record and AFC North title. But the team fell to the Houston Texans in a wild-card game matchup for another early playoff exit – their fifth wild-card round loss since 2020. Afterward, long-time head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down, and the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy – the head coach of the 2010 Packers team that won the Super Bowl with Rodgers – to be their new head coach.

Rodgers enters the 2026 season knowing it will be his last. He believes he and McCarthy can help lead the Steelers to a seventh Super Bowl championship as his last hurrah.

"I think you know expectations are high here (in Pittsburgh), which they always were in Green Bay," Rodgers said. "I think we've got the team that can do it."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers embracing 'chasing the ring' mentality in Year 22