The concept of NFL quarterbacks extending their careers past the age of 40 is nothing new. After reportedly agreeing with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract this weekend, Aaron Rodgers will likely be playing on Dec. 2, his 43rd birthday.
George Blanda played until he was 48 in the 1970s, though he was considered as much a kicker as a signal-caller. Earl Morrall, Sonny Jurgensen, Len Dawson and Johnny Unitas all started games as 40-year-olds before 1980.
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But the ability of 40-plus quarterbacks to make meaningful contributions to championship-caliber teams is a recent phenomenon.
The poster child for success in advanced age is Tom Brady, who took diet and training methods to an extreme level. He played until age 45, winning a pair of championships after his 40th birthday. Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees are other modern-day examples of top-tier signal-callers in the twilight of their careers.
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We thought it might be interesting to rank the best individual seasons enjoyed by a quarterback on the other side of 40. The ranking weighs production, efficiency and team success.
Tom Brady, 2017 New England Patriots (40)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gestures at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 17, 2017. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Tom Brady’s set the standard for seasoned signal-callers. He threw for an NFL-leading 4,577 yards along with 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions on the way to the Super Bowl and a third and final MVP award.
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The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl, 41-33. New England won championships in 2016 and 2018, so that one game prevented Brady from winning three straight titles.
Brady, 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (44)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks off the field after a game against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 26, 2021. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Brady’s was his second with the Buccaneers and came after his only Super Bowl crown with that franchise. He led the league in passing yards (5,316, a career high) and touchdowns (43). A heartbreaking 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round stopped the 2021 Bucs short of a repeat title.
Brett Favre, 2009 Minnesota Vikings (40)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback (4) Brett Favre throws a pass on Dec. 6, 2009, against the Arizona Cardinals. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Favre turned 40 on Oct. 10 of his with Minnesota, which came after his “retirement” from the New York Jets. The gunslinger cut down his interception total to just seven, the lowest of his career as a starter. He added 4,202 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns and finished fourth in MVP voting.
The Vikings came within a whisker of a surprise Super Bowl appearance, falling to the New Orleans Saints, 31-28 in overtime, in the NFC Championship Game.
Drew Brees, 2019 New Orleans Saints (40)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) makes a throw on Dec. 8, 2019, while defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51). | Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
Brees lost five games during his to a thumb injury. But when he played, he displayed his patented efficiency, completing 74.3 percent of his passes and earning his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Brees racked up 2,979 yards and 27 interceptions with four interceptions.
New Orleans’ postseason was cut short by a 26-20 overtime loss to Minnesota in the NFC wild-card round.
Brady, 2020 Buccaneers (43)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) exalts during the presentation of the George Halas Trophy after the Bucs won the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2021. | Journal Sentinel via Imagn Images
Brady’s , his first in Tampa Bay, falls short of his second in statistical results only. In 2020, Brady threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, quality numbers for any quarterback. But he threw 10 postseason TDs to carry the Bucs to the second championship in franchise history.