Following a period with the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers is set to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Rodgers, most famous for his 18-season career with the Green Bay Packers where he earned four MVP titles and won Super Bowl XLV, will be playing for his third team in four years. This move makes Rodgers the latest in a line of legendary athletes who have played for franchises far from where they built their initial fame. Let`s look at other prominent sports figures who left teams after a decade or more.
NBA
Michael Jordan
When the name Michael Jordan comes to mind, it is inextricably linked with the Chicago Bulls. MJ spent 16 seasons in the NBA, leading the Bulls to six championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). Widely considered the greatest NBA player ever, Jordan seemed destined to spend his entire career with the team that drafted him in 1984.
However, Jordan first retired in October 1993, briefly pursuing a minor league baseball career. His time away from basketball was short-lived, marked by his simple “I`m back” announcement in March 1995. After adding more glory with the Bulls, Jordan retired again in January 1999.
Jordan couldn`t stay away from the sport for long, joining the Washington Wizards` front office in January 2000. Management wasn`t enough, prompting him to return as a player for the Wizards in September 2001. It felt unusual seeing him in a Wizards uniform for two seasons. Jordan`s final NBA game was on April 16, 2003, playing for Washington.
Patrick Ewing
A cornerstone of the New York Knicks in the 1980s and `90s, Ewing established his legacy in New York. He averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks with the Knicks. Despite missing the 1999 Finals due to injury, Ewing and the New York squad pushed the Houston Rockets to a seven-game series in the 1994 Finals before being defeated.
Ewing left the Knicks after 15 seasons and 11 NBA All-Star appearances. He requested a trade, and the franchise honored it, sending him to the Seattle SuperSonics. He spent one season in Seattle, followed by another with the Orlando Magic, before retiring in 2002.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Moving from one dominant center to another. Olajuwon`s career with the Houston Rockets spanned 17 seasons and was filled with accolades: 12 All-Star selections, multiple All-NBA team appearances, two NBA championships, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and one MVP title. Olajuwon and Houston secured back-to-back titles in the mid-1990s, a rare feat at the time.
However, all good things conclude. The Rockets traded Olajuwon to the Toronto Raptors before the 2001 season, where he played for one year before retiring.
Tony Parker
Recognized as one of the NBA`s top point guards, Parker was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2001 and made an immediate impact. The six-time All-Star was a vital part of one of the best “Big Threes” in league history, alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, guided by legendary coach Gregg Popovich.
Parker spent 17 seasons with the Spurs, contributing to four NBA championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. His departure from the Spurs came as a surprise, as Duncan and Ginobili retired having only played for San Antonio. Parker signed a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets before the 2018-19 season but retired in July 2019 after just one season there.
Klay Thompson
A key member of the “Splash Brothers” duo for the initial 13 seasons of his NBA journey, Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2024 via a sign-and-trade deal, ending his long-standing partnership with fellow star guard Stephen Curry. Drafted 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2011, Thompson played a significant role in the franchise`s resurgence, leading to four championships.
Thompson`s next destination also featured considerable star power, as he teamed up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving upon his arrival in Dallas to join the reigning Western Conference champions.
Honorable mention:
- Karl Malone: Concluded his career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04) after 18 years with the Utah Jazz (1985-2003).
- Paul Pierce: Played his first 15 seasons with the Boston Celtics (1998-2013) before stints with the Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-16), and LA Clippers (2015-17). He signed a symbolic contract with the Celtics in July 2017 to retire with the team.
- Dwyane Wade: Spent his initial 13 seasons with the Miami Heat before playing a season with the Chicago Bulls (2016-17) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18). Wade returned to Miami during the 2018-19 season and retired in April 2019.
- Damian Lillard: Played his first 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-24 season.
NFL
Tom Brady
Twenty years represents a significant commitment. Just ask Tom Brady, who was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2000 and spent two decades with the team.
However, in March 2020, the sports world was stunned when TB12 announced he was moving to his second act. The then-42-year-old, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, confirmed his signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on social media.
Witnessing the six-time Super Bowl champion play outside of Gillette Stadium the following NFL season was certainly strange – as was watching him lift the Lombardi Trophy for a different franchise after winning his seventh Super Bowl ring at the conclusion of his first playoff run with the Bucs.
After two seasons in Tampa Bay, Brady declared his retirement, though the impact of his departure from New England never truly faded.
Brett Favre
When contemplating Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers likely come to mind. The Hall of Fame quarterback played 20 seasons in the NFL and, despite retiring in 2010, still holds various NFL records, including the most consecutive starts. Favre was the face of the Packers from 1992 to 2007, a remarkable 16 seasons during which he led Green Bay to a title by winning Super Bowl XXXI.
In March 2008, he retired… only to change his mind, leading the Packers to an unusual trade sending him to the Jets in August 2008. He played one season in New York before signing with the Minnesota Vikings – the Packers` rival. He participated in the 2009-10 season, and after being injured during the 2010-11 season, he retired permanently in January 2011.
Joe Montana
It seems almost unbelievable that Joe Montana played for a team other than the San Francisco 49ers. Montana won four Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV) with the Niners, the team he played with for 14 seasons after being drafted in 1979. Yet, “Joe Cool`s” NFL career lasted 16 seasons.
The eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback dealt with injuries late in his career, missing the 1991-92 season and most of the 1992-93 season. By the time Montana was healthy, Steve Young had established himself in San Francisco. Before the 1993-94 season, the 49ers traded Montana to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he concluded his career after two less-than-spectacular seasons. Montana retired in April 1995 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Honorable mention:
- Russell Wilson: The Seattle Seahawks traded the QB who guided them to their only Super Bowl victory. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Wilson, after 10 seasons with the Seahawks, became the first quarterback to start for a team he had previously defeated in a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLVIII).
- Peyton Manning: Played four seasons with the Broncos after being released by the Colts, winning Super Bowl 50 in his final season.
- Johnny Unitas: Played four games with the Chargers following 17 seasons with the Baltimore Colts.
- Emmitt Smith: After 13 years with the Cowboys, he spent two seasons with the Cardinals, scoring 11 touchdowns in 25 games.
- Jerry Rice: After 16 years with the 49ers, Rice played 3½ seasons with the Raiders and part of his final season with the Seahawks. He accumulated 1,211 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his age-40 season.
MLB
Hank Aaron
Considered by many the greatest slugger in baseball history, Hank Aaron played 21 seasons with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, starting in 1954. The 25-time All-Star and 1957 World Series champion also ranks second all-time in home runs with 755. In 1975, at the age of 41, Aaron left the Braves for the Milwaukee Brewers, where he played two seasons. He later returned to Atlanta, joining the Braves as an executive in 1976.
Willie Mays
Willie Mays, among the premier baseball players of all time, enjoyed a distinguished 22-year career. He remains synonymous with the New York Giants, the team where his MLB journey began in 1951. When the Giants relocated to San Francisco after the 1957 season, Mays moved with them, continuing his brilliant play.
He spent an extensive 21 seasons with the Giants, helping the team secure a World Series victory in 1954. In May 1972, at age 41, Mays was traded back to New York to play for the Mets. He had one less productive season there before retiring.
Honorable mention:
- Yogi Berra: Released by the Yankees after an 18-year career. Took a year off, then played four games with the Mets.
- Harmon Killebrew: After 21 seasons with the Twins, he spent 106 games with the Royals, hitting only .199.
- John Smoltz: Divided his final season between the Red Sox and Cardinals after a 20-year career with the Braves.
NHL
Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur won three Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and currently serves as the team`s executive vice president of business development. However, his time with the Devils didn`t extend through his entire career.
Brodeur, a 10-time All-Star and one of the NHL`s greatest goaltenders, started his career in 1991. While speculation suggested he might retire in the 2012 offseason, he signed another contract with the Devils. Following two below-average seasons, Brodeur became a free agent and signed with the St. Louis Blues in December 2014. He retired in January 2015, having appeared in only seven games for the Blues.
Bobby Orr
One of the most exceptional hockey players of all time, Bobby Orr was essentially revered in Boston during his decade there. The defenseman joined the Boston Bruins, a team that had struggled for years, in 1966. Orr transformed the team`s fortunes, leading the Bruins to Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972.
Orr missed most of the 1975-76 season due to injury, and his agent advised him to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent. Orr played only 20 games in the 1976 season, missed the entire 1977 season, and attempted a comeback in the 1978 season. He skated in just six games before retiring at age 30 in 1978.
Honorable mention:
- Mike Modano: Spent 20 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, then played four games with the Detroit Red Wings in his final season.
- Bernie Federko: Played 13 seasons with the Blues and 13 games with the Red Wings in his final season.
WNBA
Candace Parker
In 2021, Candace Parker surprised the basketball community by leaving the Los Angeles Sparks – the franchise that drafted her – after 13 seasons to join her hometown team, the Chicago Sky. At the time, it was perhaps the biggest move in the WNBA`s history, facilitated by a new collective bargaining agreement allowing greater player mobility. The two-time WNBA MVP and two-time league champion caused further surprise in January when she announced on Instagram that she would end her Chicago homecoming to sign with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
Soccer
Pelé
One of football`s all-time greats, the Brazilian icon debuted for Santos FC in 1956. Besides playing for Brazil`s national team – leading them to three FIFA World Cups – he also helped Santos win the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963. After 19 seasons with Santos, Pelé retired in 1974.
Two years later, he returned to football, signing with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League before the 1975 season began. The legend ultimately retired in October 1977 after an exhibition match between the Cosmos and, fittingly, Santos.
John Terry
The English footballer is primarily remembered as the captain of Chelsea, where he played from 1998 to 2017. John Terry, a center back, led Chelsea to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and a UEFA Champions League title.
In January 2017, Terry spent a single season with Aston Villa, departing the team in May 2018 after the club failed to achieve promotion to the Premier League. Terry returned a few months later to become Aston Villa`s assistant head coach.
Steven Gerrard
Considered one of football`s greatest midfielders, Steven Gerrard joined Liverpool in 1998 and remained with the club until 2015. Despite winning two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Cup, he never won the Premier League title with Liverpool.
Nonetheless, he is a legend. Gerrard then moved across the Atlantic to Major League Soccer, signing with the LA Galaxy in January 2015. In November 2016, after 13 appearances with the Galaxy, Gerrard retired at the age of 36.
