What should we expect from Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers in his age-41 season?

Aaron Rodgers is back in another season in the NFL. The Future Hall of Famer has informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that they intend to sign a deal with him and will be attending a minicamp next week, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer confirmed Thursday.

Rodgers was expected to end up in Pittsburgh as Rodgers’ free agency continued to drag him over three months. However, he left the door open for retirement early in the offseason and did not guarantee a return to play.

As he gets to sign the contract, Rodgers will wear pads for his 21st NFL season. He turns 41 when the season begins and turns 42 in December, becoming one of the oldest quarterbacks in NFL history.

The New York Jets opted out of Rogers’ business following the overwhelming 2024 season. There he threw 11 interceptions with 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 passersby ratings. New York was 5-12, and there were no hopes for the playoffs.

Pittsburgh bets that Rodgers will extend his two-year playoff streak in 2025, signing him after Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk the free agency. Is that a clever bet by the Steelers? Well, history isn’t very kind to most of the quarterbacks who played at 41 years old. Let’s take a look at how other notable quarterbacks have gone through his 41-year-old season.

George Branda (1968)

Regular season statistics: 61.2 completion rate, 522 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 120.1 passerby rating

No NFL history player had a long career as Blanda, who played 26 seasons before retiring at age 48. During the 41-year-old season, Blanda was mostly used as a kicker by the Raiders, but still had time at quarterback. He started out with a game. A midseason with the Denver Broncos and Ken Stavler came out and threw four touchdowns in the win. When he backed up the stubler in 13 other games, Blanda’s 61.8 was the fourth-best field goal percentage in the AFL, helping the Raiders reach the Super Bowl.

Earl Moral (1975)

Regular season statistics: 60.5 completion rate, 273 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 82.8 passerby ratings

Morrall served as one of Bob Griese’s backups with the Miami Dolphins at the age of 41 in the 1975 season, starting once that year, leading the Dolphins to a second half of the season. Its beginnings made him the oldest quarterback to start a game in NFL history at the time.

Warren Moon (1997)

Regular season statistics: 59.3 completion rate, 3,678 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 83.7 passerby ratings

Even at 41, Moon was still one of the most prolific passersby in the game. In his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, he led the league with yards passing per game (245.2) and earned a Pro Bowl nod. Seattle went 7-7 in the 14 games that started that year, missing out on the game’s playoffs 8-8.

At 41, Warren Moon was a pro bowler in his first season with the Seahawks. (Photo by Sports News via Getty Images/Sporting News via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Doug Flutie (2003)

Regular season statistics: 54.5 completion rate, 1,097 passing yards, 9 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 82.8 passerby ratings

After spending eight seasons in the CFL in the 1990s, Fulty returned to the NFL for 36 seasons in 1998. However, he remained on the Chargers’ roster at 41 in the 2003 season, and was enough to back up Drew Brees. However, Fulty traded a struggling Brees in five starts mid-season, making it 2-3. He rushed to two touchdowns in one of those games and became the first player over 40 to achieve that in the game.

Vinny Testaverde (2004)

Regular season statistics: 60 completion rate, 3,532 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 20 interceptions, 76.4 passerby ratings

Testaverde reunited with former coach Bill Parcells and joined the Dallas Cowboys for the 2004 season. He was initially expected to be Dallas’ backup, but Testaverde became the Cowboys’ first starter as Quincy Carter was released after a failed drug test. The Parcells and Testaverde never succeeded together in one full season as the New York Jets head quarterback coach duo, as Testaverde’s 20 intercepts led the league. However, Testaverde was later recognized for supporting Tony Romo’s development before becoming the cornerstone of the franchise.

Brett Fabre (2010)

Regular season statistics: 60.6 completion rate, 2,509 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 19 intercepts, 69.9 passerby ratings

While many have compared Rodgers’ recent seasons to the later periods of Fabre’s career, Rodgers hopes that his age 41 season will not replicate Fabre’s. In his second year with the Minnesota Vikings, Fabre had a disastrous 41 seasons when he suffered multiple injuries. The AC joint sprain on his throwing shoulder caused a consecutive game winning streak that ended in 321 (including postseason games), and he was unable to play in the final NFL game due to a concussion. These health issues and slow production led the Vikings to go 6-10, missing the postseason after reaching the previous year’s NFC Championship Game.

The 2010 season was Brett Fabre’s last in the NFL. (Photo: Tom Dahlin /Sports Illustrated by Getty Images)

Mark Brunel (2011)

Regular season statistics: Completed 1 of 3 passes for 27 yards

Brunel’s 41-year-old season was his last, and he served as Mark Sanchez’s backup for the second consecutive year with the Jets.

Tom Brady (2017)

Regular season statistics: 65.8 completion rate, 4,355 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 97.7 passerby ratings
Postseason statistics: 68 completion rate, 953 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 85.8 passersby ratings (3 games, Super Bowl win)

Brady has become the gold standard for longevity in the NFL. He turned 40 and won two Super Bowls, including the 40-year-old season. He didn’t post the biggest stats on New England’s postseason runs that year, but Brady helped the Patriots score 78 points in their first two playoff games. At 41, Brady finished seventh in passing yards and won the Super Bowl.

Tom Brady led the Patriots to win the Super Bowl LIII Rams at age 41 (Photo: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

Drew Breeze (2020)

Regular season statistics: 70.5 completion rate, 2,942 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 106.4 passerby rating
Postseason statistics: 64.4 completion rate, 399 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 75.1 passerby rating (two games, eliminated in the NFC division)

Breeze had a respectable statistical line during his 41-year-old season. This was enough to help the New Orleans saint win in the NFC South with a four-game winning streak. However, he missed four games that year as his lungs collapsed and multiple ribs broke. When he returned from an injury later this year, Breeze was still productive, but his pass seemed to lack the same zip. He threw three intercepts in his final game, losing to Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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