The longer Aaron Rodgers drags his feet on making a decision, the more fans, media members, and former players are out on the aging quarterback. Recently, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw scoffed at even toying with the notion of adding Aaron Rodgers. However, Peyton Manning had the opposite response.
During the Golden Bear Pro-Am in Ohio, Manning was asked about whether Rodgers is still capable of leading a team to championship football.
"I think so," Manning said in an interview on 97.1 The Fan. "Look, the guy is super talented, probably has arguably one of the best arms of all time. He's just kind of elastic. I don't have any insight on that, but hopefully he gets with a team soon and kind of gets going. So it'll be fun to see him back out there on the field."
While Manning wasn't asked about Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, specifically, we can assume that he's still in the loop and knows that this is Rodgers' most likely—if not only—remaining destination. That didn't sway Manning from giving the 41-year-old a glowing endorsement.
Peyton Manning is evidence that Aaron Rodgers could still find success with the Pittsburgh Steelers in his old age
If anyone knows a thing or two about playing competitive football at an old age (outside of Tom Brady, of course), it's Peyton Manning. After stringing together a first-ballot Hall of Fame career with the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2011, Manning joined the Denver Broncos at the age of 36 in 2012.
Despite coming off a season-ending neck injury in 2011. Manning was electric, recording 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while throwing in 4,659 passing yards. The following year, at 37, Manning led the NFL in passing yards (5,477), completions (450), QBR (79.0), net yards per attempt (7.91), and passing touchdowns (55) en route to an MVP season and the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Manning would go on to win Super Bowl 50 at age 39 before calling it a career. Though Rodgers is already older than Manning was when he retired, he has more physical tools still left in the tank than Manning did during his final seasons. Rodgers still possesses a live arm and impressive velocity, though his mobility is only a shade of what it once was.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's no doubt that Aaron Rodgers gives this team the best chance of competing during the 2025 season. We're still playing the waiting game, but Peyton Manning is living proof that there is still hope that Rodgers could play championship football in his old age.
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