Aaron Rodgers is set for another NFL season, having officially signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, and he is expected to attend minicamp next week. After a three-month free agency period, Rodgers, who had hinted at retirement earlier in the offseason, ultimately chose to continue playing, entering his 21st season at age 41, turning 42 in December, making him one of the oldest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Rodgers’ last stint was with the New York Jets in 2024, where he threw 11 interceptions, gained 3,897 yards, scored 28 touchdowns, and recorded an 11 passer rating. The Jets finished 5-12, missing the playoffs. The Steelers hope Rodgers will continue his playoff streak into 2025, especially after signing him post-free agency of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. However, historically, quarterbacks at age 41 often face challenges in maintaining top performance.
Looking back at other quarterbacks’ performances at 41 offers perspective:
– George Blanda (1968) played 26 seasons, mostly as a kicker at 41 but still contributed as a quarterback, helping his team reach the Super Bowl.
– Earl Morrall (1975) was a backup quarterback leading the Miami Dolphins to a strong finish and held the record for being the oldest NFL starting quarterback at that time.
– Warren Moon (1997) led the league in passing yards per game, earned a Pro Bowl nod, but missed playoffs with a 7-7 record.
– Doug Flutie (2003) backed up Drew Brees, stepped in midseason, and made history with rushing touchdowns over age 40.
– Vinny Testaverde (2004) unexpectedly became the Dallas Cowboys’ starter, though struggled with interceptions but played a key mentoring role.
– Brett Favre (2010) had a tough season marred by injuries, ending a significant win streak, and the Vikings missed the playoffs.
– Mark Brunell (2011) had limited playtime as a backup quarterback.
– Tom Brady (2017) set a high bar, having a strong season with over 4,300 passing yards, leading the Patriots to a Super Bowl win at age 41.
– Drew Brees (2020) performed well statistically despite injuries, helping the Saints win the NFC South before an early playoff exit.
Fan Take: Rodgers’ return to the NFL at this age is a testament to his remarkable longevity and competitiveness. For fans, it’s thrilling to see a legendary quarterback challenge the norms of age in the sport, potentially inspiring a new chapter in NFL history while adding excitement and experience to the Steelers’ roster.
