Aaron Rodgers is officially closing out his NFL career as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, aiming to leave one last mark on the league, and possibly its record books.
The 41-year-old quarterback joins a franchise steeped in quarterback legacy, with Rodgers now chasing down a statistical milestone held by Ben Roethlisberger himself. The former Steelers great sits at No. 5 on the NFL all-time passing list with 64,088 yards, but Rodgers trails by just 1,136. If healthy, Rodgers could eclipse that mark in 2025.
Roethlisberger addressed Pittsburgh’s upcoming season on his “Footbahlin” podcast this week and turned heads with a comparison that surprised many.
“Well, I would take Aaron in his prime over Patrick (Mahomes) now,” Roethlisberger said, as transcribed by Ben Crawford of CBS Sports. “I think Aaron Rodgers in his prime was one of the top few to ever do it.”
Rodgers owns four passer rating titles, 10 Pro Bowl nods and a 2020 season with 48 touchdowns and nearly 71 percent completions. He has said this summer his first season with the Steelers is likely his last in the league.
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Mahomes delivered his most dominant season in 2018, surpassing 5,000 passing yards and throwing 50 touchdowns. He followed that up four years later with a third Super Bowl title, racking up 41 touchdown passes and setting a new career high with 5,250 yards through the air.
While Mahomes, though younger, has well surpassed Rodgers in Super Bowl wins, Roethlisberger suggested Rodgers’ peak was every bit as transcendent.
“I think you will get a better Aaron this year than you did last year,” Roethlisberger added.
The Steelers are betting on it. And if Rodgers delivers, he might do more than break records, he could make Pittsburgh a serious contender in the AFC.
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