After 21 seasons in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers’ incredible run is nearing its end. The 41-year-old, who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in a blockbuster trade earlier this year, seems to be quietly preparing for life after football.

Bill Cowher, who coached the Steelers for 15 seasons and led them to a Super Bowl title, believes the franchise must move carefully when planning life after Rodgers. Speaking on CBS, Cowher urged the team not to stall and instead start mapping out what comes next. He stirred QB conversation, noting, “The only quarterbacks who have played Mike Tomlin 10x or more who have winning records are Tom Brady and Joe Flacco.”

Then came the kicker — “@CowherCBS’s advice to Mike Tomlin? Sign Flacco 👀” That suggestion might sound wild on paper, but it’s not without logic. Mike Tomlin has spent years trying to avoid Joe Flacco. And for good reason. The quarterback tormented Pittsburgh throughout his career, most notably during his Baltimore Ravens days.

Flacco, who was eventually replaced by Lamar Jackson in 2019, built a résumé full of clutch performances against the Steelers, even guiding Baltimore to a Super Bowl win over Colin Kaepernick’s San Francisco 49ers. Across those battles, Flacco owns a 12–11 record against Tomlin.

Tomlin “didn’t like” when the Cleveland Browns traded Flacco to the Bengals to replace an injured Joe Burrow. Before that, in a 2024 matchup against the Colts, Tomlin had told his defense to “keep Anthony Richardson upright” — because if Flacco came in, they were in trouble. Sure enough, Richardson went down, Flacco stepped in, and the Colts beat Pittsburgh.

Tomlin even took a jab at Browns GM Andrew Berry for sending Flacco to a division rival, saying: “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us because it doesn’t make sense to trade a quarterback you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area.”

Flacco, for his part, responded with respect. “I have so much respect for Mike and the battles we’ve had — in Pittsburgh, in Baltimore.”

Now, with Rodgers planning to “disappear from public life” as “I’ve lived in the spotlight long enough. I’m going into the shadows,” once he hangs it up, Cowher’s advice suddenly carries weight.

Aaron Rodgers opens up his retirement plans

After being released by the New York Jets in March, Aaron Rodgers hit free agency for the first time in his 21-year career. It took a while for things to settle, but eventually, the 41-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move that instantly grabbed headlines — not just for what it meant on the field, but for what it signaled about his future.

Rodgers’ reasons go deeper than football. He told McAfee that he’s ready to leave the spotlight entirely once he retires — no cameras, no analyst gigs, no endorsements. “I don’t want the attention — I know that’s a narrative out there,” Rodgers said. “When this is all done, it’s Keyser Söze. You won’t see me. I don’t want to live a public life. I’m not gonna be in the public eye. When this is done, I’m done. You won’t see me, and I’m looking forward to that.”

It’s a rare stance in an era where most retired stars chase TV contracts, brand deals, or podcast fame. But for Rodgers, that desire for solitude isn’t new.

In 2023, Rodgers famously took a four-night “darkness retreat” in Oregon to reflect on his NFL future. According to Sky Cave Retreats owner Scott Berman, Rodgers spent those days in a 300-square-foot, pitch-black room equipped only with a queen bed, bathroom, and meditation mat. The experience, meant to force deep introspection, has become part of Rodgers’ legend. Proof that when he says he can “disappear,” he means it.