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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hinted at the 2025 football season being his last over the summer, but following a 4-2 start that puts them atop the AFC North, the franchise is hoping he sticks around for another season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Steelers host the Packers on Sunday night. It's the only team Rodgers has not beaten in his NFL career (since he we was in a Packers uniform for the better part of two decades).

"My understanding is the Steelers have really, really enjoyed the Aaron Rodgers experience," Rapoport said Sunday on NFL Gameday Morning. "Coaches, executives, players. He has bonded with several young players in the locker room. I would not be surprised, based on how he is and how he's playing, if they want him back for another year despite just signing him to a one-year deal. Until Rodgers says he is for sure, for sure retiring after this year, we will continue to wonder."

Rodgers hinted over the summer that the 2025 season would be his swan song, giving it one last go with the Steelers before enjoying retirement.

"This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had," Rodgers said. "I mean, I've played 20 frickin' years, it's been a long run and I've enjoyed it."

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones warned this week that Pittsburgh needs to enjoy the present and remove itself from trying to predict Rodgers' plans for next year. Of course the Steelers would want Rodgers back if this season keeps going on its current trajectory and ends in a postseason appearance.

"This note makes no representation it knows what Rodgers will decide. but there are good vibes right now and, if it keeps up, I believe the Steelers will be open to it," Jones wrote.

Rodgers won four of his first five starts with the Steelers prior to a 33-31 loss to the Bengals earlier this month. Rodgers has 1,270 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, along with a 68.6 completion rate -- one of the highest rates of his career.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has to like what he's seen thus far at a position that's been anything but consistent in recent years for his team.

"I just wanted to know why," Tomlin said of Rodgers wanting to play in Pittsburgh on The Pivot Podcast before the season. "Why does the fire still burn? What is his agenda? Those are some of the conversations that we had in the spring, and I just got real comfortable with his 'why.' All he wants to do is win. All he wants to do is have fun within the game."

Rodgers left the Packers in 2023 before spending two forgettable seasons with the Jets prior to his arrival on Pittsburgh. There's no hard feelings in Green Bay, though, Rodgers said this week.

"Obviously, would've loved to ride off in the sunset after a Super Bowl win [with Green Bay], but that's not the way the league goes sometimes," Rodgers told reporters. "I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan [Love] was picked. I knew at some point there would be a change, and if I wanted to play, it'd probably have to be elsewhere. So I understand the situation."