After an offseason dominated by speculation surrounding his future, Aaron Rodgers is quietly authoring one of the most compelling stories of the NFL season, yet it has garnered surprisingly little attention.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a 3-1 start, largely thanks to the veteran quarterback’s late-game heroics. In Week 1, Rodgers threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead a comeback victory against his former team, the New York Jets. Two weeks later, he broke a tie against Cleveland with a touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with just 2:16 remaining. Most recently, his 80-yard touchdown strike to DK Metcalf proved critical in a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings. With the rest of the AFC North hampered by injuries and early-season struggles, the Steelers have emerged as a legitimate playoff contender.
What makes this performance remarkable is Rodgers’ age. The quarterback, who turns 42 in December, is navigating territory few have ever charted. Only two quarterbacks in NFL history have started a playoff game at age 42 or older: Tom Brady, a singular outlier in longevity, and Drew Brees, who lost his single start. Rodgers is not just playing; he is delivering in crucial moments.
While his performance isn’t at the level that earned him four MVP awards—Pro Football Focus ranks him 37th out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks—his conventional stats are solid, with a 68.5% completion rate, 786 yards, eight touchdowns, and a 102.6 passer rating. He has adapted his game, relying on an extremely short passing attack with an average depth of target of just 3.1 yards. His strategy is to move the chains, avoid critical mistakes, and rise to the occasion when the game is on the line.
The muted reaction to this success may stem from a collective “Rodgers fatigue.” His public persona, described by a former Packers executive as “a complicated fella,” has been shaped by years of retirement speculation, off-field drama, and polarizing interviews. This history may be overshadowing a truly impressive comeback.
Following a disappointing stint with the Jets that was cut short by a torn Achilles in the 2023 season opener, Rodgers is defying the typical career arc for aging quarterbacks. Instead of a forgettable final act, he is leading a resurgence that could see him return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While the narrative has yet to capture the league’s spotlight, Rodgers is building the foundation for a historic final chapter.
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