Behind the Steel Curtain
Even when you’re one of the greatest players to ever play the position of quarterback, you’re never quite untouchable after entering the twilight years of your career. Heck, even Tom Brady — the consensus G.O.A.T. — was let go by the Patriots before ending his career with the Buccaneers (winning his sixth and final Super Bowl in the process).
Being given up on by the team that you gave everything to doesn’t have to be the end of your storied career, and that’s what Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is out to prove at age 41, even if he’s had quite the rocky road since leaving the Packers.
After missing the entire 2023 season (his first with the Jets), Rodgers came back to start every single game for Gang Green the following year. As much as he would have liked to win another Super Bowl with a second team like Brady, the whole franchise struggled to a 5-12 record that led to head coach Robert Saleh being let go before the end of the year.
A year later, Rodgers is on his third team in four years. However, Pittsburgh seems to be a much better fit for Rodgers this go-round. The Steelers are always in the conversation for the playoffs and remain consistently competitive in the AFC North. They’ve had less-than-stellar quarterback play in recent years and the addition of Rodgers essentially helped put an end to that issue so that the team can finally take advantage of the defense that was wasted behind Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson.
Not only has Rodgers been good for the Steelers’ overall record, the supporting cast has been much better for the 41-year old, as well.
In 2024, Rodgers finished with 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Through six games this season, he’s up to 14 touchdowns to five picks with 1,270 yards. Now that turnover mark is a bit higher overall and is on pace to set a career-high in giveaways, but he’s also on track to throw for over 40 touchdowns if he stays consistent through the final 11 games. One more bit of context to show just how improved his efficiency is this year is that his 4.8 touchdown percentage from a season ago is now up to 8.1 percent while his sack percentage is down 6.41 percent to 4.97.
All in all, this is what you want to see!
Good things usually happen for teams with quarterbacks who put up those types of numbers, even if the downside is a few more giveaways than you’d like. And in a year where the rest of the AFC North is struggling with some very notable injuries, the Steelers have been playing well enough to keep a hold on their first-place spot. At 4-3, they’re still ahead of the 3-5 Bengals with the Browns at 2-6 and the Ravens at 2-5.
If Rodgers wants to end his career on a high note, he’s currently in the midst...
