Aaron Rodgers returns for a second year with the Pittsburgh Steelers in what he has said will be his last NFL season. Recent evaluations from analysts and Pro Football Focus have placed him outside the top tier of quarterbacks. The 42-year-old is ranked No. 22 among starting signal-callers by PFF for 2026.
Steve Palazzolo argued on his Check the Mic podcast that Rodgers has not played winning football at the level of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. He pointed to Rodgers' 25 fourth-quarter comebacks, which rank tied for 20th, and noted that incompletions on fourth down carry similar weight to interceptions.
PFF assigned Rodgers a 68.0 overall grade last season, his lowest mark, and highlighted his career-low 6.6-yard average depth of target. The site stated that Father Time has caught up with the quarterback and that his best days are behind him.
Rodgers still ranks fifth in career passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns. He holds the record for career quarterback rating and has 163 regular-season wins, sixth all time. The Steelers added receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard while hiring Mike McCarthy as head coach to support his final campaign.
