In a thrilling Thursday night showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers etched his name deeper into NFL history. With a crisp 15-yard pass to running back Jaylen Warren at the 1:58 mark of the second quarter, Rodgers surpassed former Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger, claiming fifth place on the league’s all-time passing yards leaderboard. Entering the game needing just 115 yards to eclipse Roethlisberger’s 64,088-yard mark, Rodgers delivered under the bright lights, pushing his career total beyond that threshold and solidifying his status among the game’s elite throwers.
This milestone comes during Rodgers’ debut season with the Steelers, a surprising one-year deal signed in the offseason that brought the 41-year-old veteran to Pittsburgh after stints with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. It’s his 21st NFL campaign, a testament to his enduring talent and resilience. Earlier this year, Rodgers had already made waves by passing Philip Rivers for sixth place against the New England Patriots and overtaking his former Packers mentor Brett Favre for fourth in career passing touchdowns with 508.
Rodgers, ever the understated competitor, shrugged off the personal accolades in a post-game reflection. “It means I’ve played a long time,” he said earlier this season after similar feats. He paid homage to the quarterbacks who’ve influenced him, from his childhood idols with the San Francisco 49ers to Favre and Rivers. “I grew up on the Niners. Quarterbacks were my favorite, and then Brett, and then I got to play with Brett,” Rodgers shared. “I was drafted the year after Phil Rivers, had a friendship through the game with him for years. Loved watching Phil play… So, good to be mentioned with those guys.”
For Steelers fans, this moment carries a poignant twist. Roethlisberger, affectionately known as Big Ben, spent his entire 18-year career in black and gold, leading Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl victories and amassing a legacy of clutch performances. Rodgers passing him isn’t just a stat—it’s a bridge between eras, blending the old guard’s grit with the new chapter Rodgers is writing in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers push through the 2025 season, currently sitting at a competitive spot in the AFC North, Rodgers’ arm could be the key to playoff aspirations.
This achievement underscores Rodgers’ remarkable career trajectory. Drafted 24th overall in 2005 by the Packers, he sat behind Favre before exploding onto the scene, earning four MVP awards, a Super Bowl ring in 2010, and now these all-time ranks. His move to the Jets in 2023 was marred by an early Achilles injury, but his rebound in 2024 set the stage for this Steelers adventure.
As the NFL evolves with younger gunslingers, Rodgers’ climb reminds us of the value of experience. Will he chase down the top four—Tom Brady (89,214 yards), Drew Brees (80,358), Peyton Manning (71,940), and Favre (71,838)? With his precision and poise, anything seems possible. Steelers Nation, rejoice: you’ve got a living legend under center, rewriting history one pass at a time.
Leave a Reply