Steelers Now
At the age of 41, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean he can no longer sling it. He still has a rocket arm.
“He’s still throwing the shit out of the ball, honestly,” a veteran NFL offensive coach said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “He’s the best quarterback they’ve had since (Ben Roethlisberger). We will see how the body holds up, but I think he’s going to help them immensely.”
Rodgers showed he can still play good football last year with the New York Jets, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was at his best late in the year, too, which is an encouraging sign for the Steelers. Of Rodgers’ 30 fastest top-speed plays last season, 17 came in Week 13 or later, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said the Steelers came away pleasantly surprised after doing a thorough study on Rodgers from last season.
“Their study of Rodgers showed a little more than even they expected. Early in the 2024 season, the Achilles, and a hamstring injury to follow, clearly hampered him. But as time wore on, even with the Jets struggling, the Steelers saw Rodgers returning to form,” Breer wrote. “In the Jets’ Halloween game against the Texans, he made a few big-time back-shoulder throws. He played well in both Dolphins games. In Week 16 against the Jaguars, Pittsburgh saw vintage Rodgers, with a late go-ahead touchdown throw to Davante Adams really standing out.”
As a player, Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth was in the same quarterbacks room with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay in 2006. Nineteen years later the two reunite in Pittsburgh, and Rodgers is still slinging it.
Arth new from Day 1 that Rodgers was special.
“I had just come from Indianapolis and spent three years with Peyton [Manning], and obviously saw the way he played and threw the ball. And it was really immediate to me, seeing Aaron and saying, ‘Man, like, you know, this guy’s got some really special gifts,’” Arth said at minicamp last Wednesday.
Rodgers has one of the best throwing motions in the history of the NFL. His release looks so effortless. Even at 41 years of age, Arth believes Rodgers is still at the top of his game.
“I still think he’s at the top of his game. I think he’s a top quarterback in the league,” Arth siad. “…Aaron was extremely impressive. He still throws the ball very well. He’s accurate. He’s so smart. You can see his decision-making — doesn’t take a lot of sacks.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Veteran NFL Coach Gives High Praise to Aaron Rodgers
