Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index: Ranking Every Game on the Steelers' 2026 Schedule

Shortly after signing a one-year deal worth up to $25 million to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 22nd season in the pros, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers said, "Yes. This is it," when asked if this would be his final NFL season.

As the fifth all-time leading passer in NFL history makes one more run at a second Super Bowl ring with the team he defeated to win his first Lombardi Trophy more than a decade ago, I'm breaking down the Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index, looking at the biggest and best matchups on the Steelers' schedule for his final ride.

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🏟️ The Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index

The Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index weighs four categories: Narrative & vengeance (40%), primetime & stage value (25%), Super Bowl contender stakes (20%), and the nostalgia & QB matchup factor (15%).

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🗓️ Game-by-game Rodgers farewell tour breakdown

Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons 

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 60/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Sept. 13 (1 p.m. ET, FOX) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Falcons: 4-4 | 2,492 passing yards, 22 total TDs, 2 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Taking on his former interim head coach

Rodgers has a surprisingly long history with the Atlanta Falcons. He's only played six other teams more than them, and that doesn't even include one of his four NFC Championship defeats coming at the hands of then-MVP Matt Ryan back in 2017 before the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.

There's a coaching wrinkle with this matchup, too. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was the New York Jets' interim head coach two seasons ago while Rodgers was under center in the Big Apple, and Atlanta QB coach Alex Van Pelt was Rodgers' QB coach from 2014-2017 with the Green Bay Packers before Mike McCarthy fired him, which irked Rodgers at the time.

The Falcons are also the home of the cousin of one of Rodgers' most memorable teammates, with Jake Matthews set to start at left tackle in Atlanta for the 13th straight season. His cousin, Clay Matthews III, played 10 of his 11 pro seasons in Green Bay with Rodgers.

Week 2: at New England Patriots

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 66/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Sept. 20 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Patriots: 4-2 | 1,563 passing yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: History with the head coach ... and front office

In one of the first games Rodgers ever saw action in, he went 4-for-12 with 32 yards in a 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots in 2006. In that game, he was sacked three times, including a strip sack by now Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in the fourth quarter.

Beyond the Vrabel angle, Rodgers has ties to the Patriots' front office. New England's de facto GM Eliot Wolf (the son of former Packers GM Ron Wolf) worked in Green Bay's front office when the team selected Rodgers in the first round, and remained there until 2017. Also working in the Packers front office during Rodgers' tenure (2012-2017) was Patriots personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith.

Not a single pass catcher was drafted in Round 1 by Green Bay while Rodgers was there ... maybe he can take that out on Wolf and Highsmith in Week 2?

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 58/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Sept. 27 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Bengals: 3-3 | 1,527 passing yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers vs. Burrow

There isn't any glaring Rodgers-specific tie to this matchup, and the main pull is that it's an ever-important AFC North game. Still, it will almost certainly be the last time Rodgers takes on the Cincinnati Bengals in front of the Steelers' home crowd.

Watching Rodgers duel Joe Burrow in a game that could be massive to either the AFC North title or the Wildcard race is certainly worthwhile. And this season, we get to see Rodgers deal with "Sexy Dexy," after the Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in the offseason.

Last season, the Steelers and Bengals split the series, with Rodgers throwing five touchdowns across two games. 

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns (TNF)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 39/100
• Game specifics: Thursday, Oct. 1 (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) at Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Browns: 4-1 | 1,111 passing yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers' final TNF game

There was almost a little bit of aura to this game, but then the Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Super Bowl odds favorite, the Los Angeles Rams.

So, instead of getting to watch Rodgers against another future Hall of Famer, who he managed to avoid giving up the sack record to last year, we get to watch him in the final Thursday Night Football game of his career against what could be the worst team in the NFL.

Even so, Rodgers did lose to the Browns last year in Cleveland, 13-6, and as we know, he is the vindictive type. And for what it's worth, the Browns hired Dom Capers as a senior defensive assistant this offseason. Capers was the defensive coordinator of the Packers for nine of Rodgers' seasons in Green Bay ... and I'm sure those defenses led Rodgers to more than a few angry moments. 

For his career on Thursdays, Rodgers is 13-7 as a starter with a whopping 46 passing touchdowns to just seven interceptions. 

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 46/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Oct. 11 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Colts: 2-4 | 1,416 passing yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: One of the few teams with a winning record against Rodgers

This is an interesting matchup for Rodgers because the Indianapolis Colts are one of just five teams against whom he has a losing record in the regular season (the others are the Packers, Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Commanders).

And while a win won't change that, it's definitely the biggest talking point with this matchup from a Rodgers perspective. 

The only real Rodgers connection to the Colts in terms of staff/roster is Sauce Gardner, dating back to their time together with the Jets. This will also be Rodgers' new go-to targets first game against his former team, after Pittsburgh acquired Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts during the offseason.

Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 53/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Oct. 18 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Buccaneers: 3-3 | 1,463 passing yards, 11 total TDs, 10 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Taking on the team that ended his last real shot at a second Super Bowl

In one of the biggest losses of his career, Rodgers and the Packers fell to Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship. Green Bay was the No. 1 seed that year after a 13-3 regular season that included Rodgers winning MVP.

At home in Lambeau Field, the Packers lost by five, despite Rodgers throwing for 346 yards and three scores. But he was sacked five times that day by a defense called by current Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. 

Unless some magic happens this year, that loss to Tampa in the NFC Championship was Rodgers' last shot at a second Super Bowl run. Surely, that loss will be on his mind when he suits up against Bowles' team in Week 6.

Week 7: vs. New Orleans Saints (France)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 55/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Oct. 25 (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network) at Stade de France (Saint-Denis, France)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Saints: 4-3 | 1,713 passing yards, 15 total TDs, 8 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: The last time Rodgers goes across the pond

This isn't the first time Rodgers has gone across the pond, in fact, it's the fourth time he'll make the trip to Europe for a game.

Last season, he got his first international win after leading the Steelers to a victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland - he lost his previous two games in Tottenham, England, to the Vikings and the Giants.

Now, he plays in the NFL's first-ever game in France against a New Orleans Saints team whose coaching staff includes his former backup in Green Bay, Scott Tolzien (QB coach).

Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 28/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Nov. 1 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Browns: 4-1 | 1,111 passing yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: It's still technically an NFL football game

The Steelers' second game against the Browns has even less appeal beyond the fact that it's an AFC North rival. Unlike the first one, this isn't a primetime slot.

By Week 8, who knows what shape the Browns will be in and who Todd Monken will have under center between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Taylen Green. Regardless of who it is, this is the least exciting game on the schedule for Rodgers' final season. 

The only other interesting tidbit with this Browns team is that Trent Baalke is a consultant in the front office, and he was a western region scout on the San Francisco 49ers team that opted to pass on Rodgers with the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals (SNF)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 68/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Nov. 15 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) at Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Bengals: 3-3 | 1,527 passing yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Massive AFC North matchup on SNF

Rodgers' second game of his final season against the Bengals has a lot more juice than the first time around. It's his penultimate appearance on Sunday Night Football, a stage he's shone on throughout his career.

It's also beyond the mid-way point of the season, so it could be a massive matchup in the AFC North race against Burrow and the Bengals. Plus, depending on how the first matchup goes, there's a chance Rodgers will have a losing record against Cincinnati to vindicate in round two.

The Bengals have one clear connection to Rodgers on staff, too. Defensive line coach/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery was on the Packers staff for eight years while Rodgers was there.

Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 71/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Nov. 22 (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS) at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Eagles: 4-2 | 1,713 passing yards, 14 TDs, 5 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers' long history with Vic Fangio

It may not be the biggest storyline when these Keystone State rivals take the field in the Battle of Pennsylvania; however, Rodgers' biggest connection in this game is hands down Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Rodgers has a long history with the 49ers, for whom Fangio was the defensive coordinator from 2011-2014. During that time, Rodgers lost two regular-season games to San Francisco and dropped two more to the 49ers in the playoffs - across those four losses, he threw three interceptions and was sacked 10 times.

Then, when Fangio was the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator from 2015-2018, Rodgers got revenge by going 6-2 and throwing 14 TDs to just two interceptions.  

One more fun fact is that in the fourth career game Rodgers saw action in, he faced an Eagles defense led by Jeremiah Trotter Sr. That was in 2006; fast-forward 20 years, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is suiting up for Philadelphia. 

Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos (Black Friday)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 78/100
• Game specifics: Friday, Nov. 27 (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Broncos: 2-2 | 945 passing yards, 7 total TDs, 1 INT
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers' disdain for Sean Payton

Not only is this a standalone game on Black Friday between two playoff hopefuls, but there's some clear bad blood between Rodgers and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

Payton's predecessor as Broncos head coach was Nathaniel Hackett, who Rodgers has said was arguably his favorite coach. So when Payton called Hackett's tenure with the team "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL," Rodgers didn't take kindly to it, calling Payton "insecure" and saying he needs to "keep my coaches' names out of his mouth."

The history between Rodgers and Payton goes back to the latter's days as New Orleans Saints head coach (2006-2011, 2013-2021). In Rodgers' first season as a starter, Payton's Saints crushed him 51-29, with the then Packers QB throwing a single-game career-high three interceptions.

All in all, during Payton's 15 seasons with the Saints, Rodgers went 2-3 against New Orleans in the regular season. You best believe Rodgers will be extra motivated to beat the Broncos' head coach in a game everyone across the country will be watching.

Week 13: vs. Houston Texans (SNF)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 72/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Dec. 6 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Texans: 4-1 | 1,336 passing yards, 17 TDs, 1 INT
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers' final SNF game

Rodgers against arguably the best defense in the NFL in his final Sunday Night Football game is must-watch TV.

It's just added fun that the Houston Texans, a team he'd historically tormented throughout his career, made him look like he should be retiring when they beat the Steelers 30-6 in Pittsburgh in the playoffs last season.

From a purely football perspective, seeing Rodgers try to sling the rock against the pass rush duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter in the secondary, will be the true test of whether the old man has anything left in the tank. He turns 43 years old just a few days before this matchup.

I mean, he's so old that the first time he played against Houston in 2008, linebacker DeMeco Ryans sacked him in the 24-21 win for the Texans. Ryans, who has been retired for more than a decade as he heads into his fourth season as Houston's head coach, is a year younger than Rodgers, too.

Ryans was also the defensive coordinator in San Francisco in Rodgers' final season in Green Bay, a season that ended with the 49ers beating the Packers 13-10 at Lambeau Field.

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars (MNF)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 67/100
• Game specifics: Monday, Dec. 14 (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) at EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Fla.)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Jaguars: 4-1 | 1,277 passing yards, 12 total TDs, 2 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers' final MNF game

This will be Rodgers' final Monday Night Football game, and it comes against a spicy Jacksonville Jaguars team that won the AFC South last season.

It will be the 25th game of Rodgers' career on a Monday; he's won 14 of the previous 24 and thrown 43 touchdowns across those games. But there's an interesting coaching connection to the Jags for Rodgers, too, with his former offensive coordinator on Jacksonville's staff.

There have been several memorable offensive coordinators for Rodgers throughout his career (from Joe Philbin to Hackett to Arthur Smith), but none has been less memorable than Edgar Bennett, who's now the Jaguars wide receiver coach.

Bennett was Rodgers' OC from 2015 until McCarthy fired him in 2017, and he was with Green Bay as running backs coach (2005-2010) and wide receivers coach (2011-2014) for the entirety of Rodgers' career to that point. With Bennett as OC, the Packers won just 56.3% of their games (27-21) and missed the playoffs in 2017.

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens 

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 63/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Dec. 20 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Ravens: 5-0 | 1,489 passing yards, 10 total TDs, 4 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Rodgers has never lost as a starter to Baltimore

This game could have plenty on the line with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens expected to win the AFC North in new head coach Jesse Minter's first season at the helm. It could also be an opportunity for Rodgers to keep the Steelers' playoff hopes alive in front of a home crowd that hates the Ravens more than pretty much any other team in the league.

Last season, Rodgers managed to handle the Ravens' two losses over Pittsburgh's final five games, which in turn helped keep Baltimore out of the playoffs and led to John Harbaugh's firing.

Baltimore was also the first team Rodgers threw more than one pass against in the NFL. He went 8-for-15 for 65 yards and an interception in relief of Brett Favre in a 48-3 loss as a rookie against a Ravens defense that included Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, and Deion Sanders (Ray Lewis missed the game due to a season-ending hamstring injury).

Also, on that Ravens defense in 2005 was Baltimore's current defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver.

Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers (flex game)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 30/100
• Game specifics: TBD (flex game) at Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Panthers: 4-3 | 1,896 passing yards, 17 total TDs, 5 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Potentially Rodgers' last game at Acrisure Stadium

If the Carolina Panthers didn't improbably win the NFC South last year as a below-average team, there would be nearly no reason to spend words talking about what this matchup means in the context of Rodgers' final season.

But with there being a chance that this game is flexed into a major TV spot if both teams are in the playoff hunt, it could very well give Rodgers another primetime matchup. Rodgers has also played the Panthers a decent amount throughout his career.

Rodgers biggest connection to this Panthers team is that Carolina's current associate head coach, Darrell Bevell, was actually his first NFL QB coach in Green Bay in 2005.

This could also be Rodgers' final game at Acrisure Stadium.

Week 17: at Tennessee Titans 

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 47/100
• Game specifics: Sunday, Jan. 3 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) at Nissan Stadium (Nashville)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Titans: 3-3 | 1,661 passing yards, 16 total TDs, 4 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Robert Saleh reunion

In terms of on-field product, the Tennessee Titans aren't going to get anyone's blood pumping; however, this matchup will have as strong a Rodgers-centric narrative as pretty much any other game on the Steelers' schedule this season. 

It's Rodgers' first game against former Jets head coach Robert Saleh since his firing in New York. And while Rodgers has claimed the rumors that he had a hand in Saleh's firing were "ridiculous allegations" and that "I resent any of those accusations because they are patently false," it certainly seemed like he wasn't the biggest fan of his former head coach.

This isn't the first time Rodgers will play one of Saleh's defenses, despite it being the first time since their team-up in New York. When Saleh was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-2020, Rodgers played him three times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. 

Rodgers had mixed results against Saleh's units in San Francisco, going 2-1 in the regular season with seven passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, but losing in the NFC Championship in 2020, 37-20, after throwing two interceptions.

Week 18: at Baltimore Ravens (flex game)

• Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index score: 69/100
• Game specifics: TBD (flex game) at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)
• Rodgers' career record/stats vs. Ravens: 5-0 | 1,489 passing yards, 10 total TDs, 4 INTs
• The biggest reason to watch: Potentially Rodgers' last NFL game

It wouldn't be the first time the Steelers and Ravens met in the final week of the season with massive playoff implications, but even if there aren't any when Pittsburgh and Baltimore play in Week 18, this game could have plenty of fanfare.

There's a chance this will be the last time Rodgers suits up for an NFL game. If McCarthy's first season as Pittsburgh's head coach doesn't go well, and the Steelers aren't in position to make the playoffs, it could all end in Baltimore for the four-time NFL MVP.

Even if that's the case, Rodgers could put a dent in the Ravens' playoff chances on his way out the door. He's never lost to them as a starter, and if he beats Baltimore in Week 15, he'll carry a 6-0 record against them into this final matchup.

Though the fans in Pittsburgh would surely prefer a playoff appearance in Rodgers' final season, I'm sure they'd be appreciative of him handing the Ravens yet another loss before he heads off into the sunset, or uh, to a forever darkness retreat. 

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🧪 How the Aaron Rodgers Farewell Tour Index works

The formula breakdown

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