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Aaron Rodgers is famously individualistic, but might his final season more closely resemble Brett Favre’s, Joe Montana’s or, maybe, John Elway’s? On the eve of his 22nd year, Rodgers concedes that his playing days are done after one final season, bringing to close an all-time great quarterbacking career. “This is it,” he says. The Pro Football Hall of Fame can start working on his bust at any time. The four-time NFL MVP is a lock for enshrinement. A one-time Super Bowl MVP as well, Rodgers ranks among career leaders in passing yards (fifth), touchdowns (fourth), completions (fifth) and attempts (sixth). But what kind of final season lies ahead for Rodgers? Does it end with contentment, consternation or confetti? On the rare occasion, a spectacular finish can punctuate a legendary career like Rodgers’. Elway won a Super Bowl in his final season and earned a Pro Bowl nod for his play that year. Peyton Manning also lifted the Lombardi Trophy in his final game. But more often, ineffectiveness or injury leaves a hint of tarnish. Favre seemed to stay one season too long and threw for a career-low 11 touchdowns. Three-time Super Bowl winner Troy Aikman tossed twice as many interceptions as touchdowns in his final year. Others, such as Montana, fell somewhere in the middle. The four-time Super Bowl champion never rekindled his 49ers success with the Chiefs, but he did finish his career with two average seasons in Kansas City. Steelers teammates say they hope to give Rodgers a worthy final chapter. The team is hungry for some postseason success regardless of his retirement plans. But sending Rodgers out a winner would be a win-win for all. “We know our goal,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “Not just get to the playoffs but when we get there to make noise. To win and go to the Super Bowl. But there definitely is extra added motivation to send ‘eight’ out the right way.” Rodgers seemed ready to take his final bow last season. He had a solid regular season, passing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns while leading the Steelers to an AFC North title. It was a bounce-back year for him after two lackluster seasons with the Jets. He missed one start to injury last season but held up physically. Rodgers ultimately decided to return for one final year and reunite with Mike McCarthy, his former coach with the Packers. “It’s special,” McCarthy said. “Yeah, there’s no doubt about it. Trust me, that’s not lost on me. Every day I think it’s super cool that I get to line up with him one more time.” ‘He’s still got it’ Sharing the practice field with a retiring star quarterback isn’t new for cornerback Jamel Dean. This will be his second time. Dean, a newcomer to the Steelers, played with Tom Brady for his final three seasons in Tampa Bay. “It’s definitely a similar feeling,” Dean said. “Aaron’s always been one of the top quarterbacks that I praise. … There’s a lot of confidence in him knowing that he’s still got it.” Dean said giving Rodgers a fitting sendoff isn’t the team’s main motivation. But like Highsmith, Dean acknowledged how the idea is in the back of their minds. “It would be nice to send him out on a good note knowing that he had a legendary career,” he said. Brady’s tenure in Tampa is remembered for winning a Super Bowl in his next-to-last season. At age 44, Brady led the NFL in passing yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43). The Bucs went 13-4, and Brady finished second in MVP voting. Dean said the current Steelers roster reminds him somewhat of that Super Bowl team. Brady was in his second season in Tampa, just as Rodgers is starting Year 2 here. “It gives me similar vibes,” Dean said. “We’ve got all the pieces that we need for this team to be great.” Brady announced his retirement after the Super Bowl but returned for one more season. In 2022, Brady and the Bucs went 8-9 and lost in the wild-card playoff round in his final year. Place in history Rodgers owns a place in football lore regardless of what he does in Year 22. Only Brady, Drew Brees and Manning have passed for more career touchdowns than Rodgers, who has 527. He needs 13 more to move past Manning into third place. Rodgers also can pass Manning on the career games list. Nine more starts by Rodgers will move him into fourth place among quarterbacks. “Obviously, his resume speaks for itself,” general manager Omar Khan said. “He’s been one of the best quarterbacks of all time, and he’s been a great leader to have around here. “When you’re in my shoes, it’s pretty cool to be around great players, Hall of Fame-type players. I’ve been blessed to the point where I’ve been around a lot of these guys, and it’s never enough.” The Steelers have embraced a win-now strategy, but Khan said that’s not necessarily because Rodgers is the quarterback. Rather, Rodgers is here because the team is trying to win. “I’m approaching it as we’re trying to win a championship this year, and Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback,” Khan said. Rodgers has steadfastly said this is his final season, lured back by the idea of playing for McCarthy again. The two spent 13 seasons together with the Packers, a span that included a Super Bowl victory and two MVP awards for Rodgers. He recently reiterated that there’s “zero debate” about his future beyond this year. He’ll turn 43 in December. “I think I’m the same age that (McCarthy) was when he got hired in Green Bay,” Rodgers said. “So, it’s a nice full-circle moment for both of us.”