Physical attributes inevitably fade for all NFL players. That’s true even for QB Aaron Rodgers as he rounds into his age-43 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But one thing is not up for debate, his arm talent hasn’t diminished one bit.
“It’s crazy to see a guy, I don’t wanna say older guy, but he’s still got every — he ain’t lose a step yet,” Darnell Washington told the media Wednesday. “Just to see the arm talent is still there…It for sure was crazy to see.”
It’s OK Darnell, you can say older guy. I’m sure Rodgers would even describe himself that way. In terms of NFL players, he’s as old as it gets. He’s venturing into uncharted territory that only Tom Brady successfully explored.
As far as arm talent goes, Rodgers is proving that age is just a number. Reports out of minicamp suggest he threw a ball 55 to 70 yards through the air to hit Roman Wilson in stride. And that wasn’t the only deep bomb, with at least one more to DK Metcalf on Tuesday.
“The past two days he’s hit a field post to DK and Roman, so it’s been pretty impressive to see that he still has all the juice left in his arm,” Pat Freiermuth said via the Steelers’ YouTube page to wrap up minicamp. “It’s been cool to see him out here having fun.”
The arm strength shouldn’t surprise people after his Hail Mary ball traveled 69.8 yards through the air just a year ago. It was the longest recorded pass attempt since at least 2017 in the NFL. He still has more than enough zip, and his hips and throwing motion haven’t suffered at all with age.
Players are always going to hype up their starting quarterback, but media echoed the same thing about Rodgers’ arm after the impressive two-day minicamp.
“One thing we do know, it’s a year later and he’s 42, going to be 43, but there is nothing wrong with Aaron Rodgers’ arm the way we see him still sling it downfield,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac said.
He didn’t get to show it off much in 2025 with an offense designed to prevent him from getting hit. He had the quickest time to throw and the shortest average air yards per attempt.
That should change in 2026 with an improved offensive line and an offensive-minded head coach who will look to turn back the clock on Rodgers’ career.
Rodgers may have lost a step over the years. His arm, however, appears to be as strong as ever.
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