Following Achilles' injury in 2023, Aaron Rodgers has proven that he can still play quarterback at a high level.
Rodgers went 10-6 as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Rodgers has not returned to the same player he was in 2020 and 2021 when he won back-to-back NFL MVP awards. At 42, Rodgers is adapting to the game as his body ages.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated quoted a league defensive coordinator (who coached against Pittsburgh last season) who praised Rodgers for his strong arm, but said the quarterback lacks the mobility that used to make him so dangerous to defenses.
"His arm strength is still like it was 10 years ago-he can still throw it," said the coach. "His movement is what's left him a little bit. He can still maneuver in the pocket, but he can't get away the way he used to. His arm strength is what it always was.
“The difference is back in the day, you'd worry about him scrambling, getting out and creating explosive [plays]. Now he can't do that, and he doesn't want to get hit. But he can still [expletive] throw it."
The defensive coordinator suggested that league teams try to defend Rodgers by disguising their coverage in the secondary and bringing free rushers.
To beat such a defense, Rodgers must execute his passes by getting the ball out quickly and throwing to tight windows. Vintage Rodgers used his legs to hold on to the football while he waited for a receiver to break free.
Former quarterback Tom Brady faced the same sort of limitations in the latter part of his career. He diced up opponents by reading defenses and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the age of 43.
Rodgers has yet to decide if he wants to chase a Super Bowl with the Steelers in the upcoming season. If he does, Rodgers will have to manage the game in a new way as his mobility continues to decline.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.