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Rodgers’ decision to return was influenced by conversations with his family and the opportunity to work under McCarthy. Despite his advanced age for the position, he remains within reach of several significant NFL milestones. Among his primary targets are becoming only the fourth quarterback in league history to appear in 300 games, joining an elite group that includes Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and Drew Brees. Additionally, he is closing in on the third-most touchdown passes in league history and the second-most regular-season games featuring multiple touchdown passes. He also requires 3,726 passing yards to reach the 70,000-yard career threshold.
Building on a Legacy of Longevity
The 2025 season served as a productive period for the veteran, who climbed several all-time statistical lists. During a Week 3 victory over the New England Patriots, Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre to take sole possession of fourth place in career touchdown passes, reaching 509 at the time. Later that year, on October 16, he moved past Ben Roethlisberger into fifth place on the all-time passing yards list during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers also set marks for the most completions of 50-plus yards and became only the second quarterback in NFL history to throw 60 or more touchdown passes against multiple franchises.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Rodgers has frequently used golf metaphors to describe his current status. While he previously suggested he was on the "back nine" of his career, he now considers himself to be teeing off on the 18th hole. Despite his high profile, he remains pragmatic about the nature of his longevity, often attributing his success to the sheer duration of his career rather than individual moments of brilliance.
Preparing for the Season Opener
The Steelers enter the season with a new-look offense, though fans did not see much of the veteran during the preseason. Head coach Mike McCarthy opted to keep his starting quarterback on the sidelines throughout the exhibition schedule, a trend consistent with Rodgers' recent history. He did not participate in any preseason action for the Steelers in 2025, nor for the New York Jets in 2024 following his recovery from a 2023 Achilles injury.
The team’s Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons will serve as the first test for this revamped unit. Rodgers will face a challenging Falcons secondary led by All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr., and safety Xavier Watts. The defensive unit is coached by Jeff Ulbrich, who is well-acquainted with the quarterback’s tendencies from their time together with the New York Jets. As the season progresses, the focus will remain on whether Rodgers can successfully navigate these final challenges and cement his place further in the NFL record books.
