Aaron Rodgers is entering his 22nd NFL season and his second with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith defended the veteran quarterback’s career, but Chris Canty quickly pushed back, arguing that Rodgers is responsible for the choices that shaped his recent years.
The heated exchange aired on Sept. 8, just days before Pittsburgh’s 2026 season opener. With Rodgers now playing what he has confirmed will be his final NFL season, the debate over his career, choices, and legacy has taken on added weight.
Stephen A. Smith defends Aaron Rodgers publicly
Smith opened the segment by praising Rodgers’ overall career. He said age and decline have clearly affected the quarterback’s play. Still, Smith argued that Rodgers deserves more credit than he gets.
Smith pointed to Rodgers’ single Super Bowl title with Green Bay. He said the team had plenty of chances to win more. According to Smith, that record should not define the entire career.
The host then shifted focus to Rodgers’ final 2 stops. He admitted the Jets and Steelers years look less impressive. Smith still insisted those seasons should not overshadow everything before them.
Chris Canty pushes back on air immediately
Canty interrupted almost as soon as Smith finished his point. The former Giants lineman said Rodgers cannot escape responsibility for his own choices. He reminded viewers that Rodgers picked where he wanted to play.
Canty explained that Rodgers wanted more control over roster decisions. That desire, he said, led directly to the Jets and Steelers moves. Canty argued those consequences fall squarely on Rodgers, not on fate.
The exchange grew tense as both men spoke over each other. Producers eventually moved the segment along after several seconds of crosstalk. Clips of the moment quickly spread across social media.
Why Rodgers chose Pittsburgh over other teams
Rodgers left the Jets after a 2-year stint in New York and signed with Pittsburgh in June 2025. He later explained that his relationship with Mike Tomlin was an important part of his decision to join the Steelers.
Rodgers developed a strong relationship with Tomlin during his first season in Pittsburgh. After Tomlin’s departure following the 2025 season, Rodgers returned for 2026 after the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, his former coach in Green Bay.
Steelers’ season ended in a playoff defeat
Pittsburgh finished the 2025 regular season with a 10-7 record and won the AFC North. The Steelers then hosted the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
The Texans pulled away in the fourth quarter to win 30-6. Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards, with 1 interception, and also lost a fumble during the defeat.
The loss raised questions about Rodgers’ future after a difficult playoff performance. At the time, it was unclear whether the game would be his final appearance of his career.
Rodgers still produced solid statistical numbers overall
Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2025. He finished the regular season with a 94.8 passer rating in 16 games.
Rodgers’ 24 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions gave him a 3.4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His 7 interceptions ranked among the lower totals for quarterbacks with comparable playing time, although his overall production was below his career peak.
Those numbers help explain why Pittsburgh brought Rodgers back for a final season in 2026.
Fun fact: Aaron Rodgers earned Super Bowl XLV MVP honors after leading Green Bay past Pittsburgh in 2011
The debate reflects wider questions about legacy
Rodgers enters 2026 as the active NFL leader in career passing yards and touchdown passes. Rodgers has one of the lowest career interception rates in NFL history. Those totals place him firmly among the greatest quarterbacks ever.
Critics argue his final seasons have complicated that impressive resume. A single Super Bowl title feels light compared to his individual awards. Supporters counter that team success depends on far more than one player.
The Smith and Canty argument captured that exact tension perfectly. Both men respect Rodgers’ talent but disagree on how to judge him.
Pittsburgh faces a competitive division this season
The Steelers will again compete in a difficult AFC North division featuring the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati remains a major division rival, while Pittsburgh enters the season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy.
Pittsburgh added offensive weapons during the offseason, including wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle. D.K. Metcalf, who joined the Steelers in 2025, remains one of Rodgers’ primary downfield targets.
The Steelers have made the playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons, but they have not won a postseason game since 2016.
What comes next for Rodgers this year
Rodgers has confirmed that the 2026 season will be his final NFL season. At 42 years old, he is playing his 22nd NFL season with Pittsburgh.
Rodgers’ 2026 performance will be the final on-field chapter of his NFL career and could influence how his later years are remembered.
Whether Smith’s defense proves right will depend on Rodgers’ performance and the Steelers’ results. The season is now underway, with Pittsburgh opening against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.
TL;DR
- Stephen A. Smith defended Aaron Rodgers on First Take, while Chris Canty pushed back on his argument.
- Canty emphasized that Rodgers had made his own career decisions.
- Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in the 2025 regular season.
- The Steelers won the AFC North before losing 30-6 to Houston in the Wild Card round.
- The 2026 season is Rodgers’ final NFL season and his last opportunity to add to his career totals.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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