The Pittsburgh Steelers closed the 2025 season short of their Super Bowl goal, but not without steady quarterback play from Aaron Rodgers. Now, after his 21st NFL season, Rodgers finds himself in an unfamiliar place, ranked third among free agent quarterbacks by CBS Sports.
The ranking underscores both his durability and the reality of time.
Rodgers, who turns 43 next season, started 16 games in 2025 and threw for 3,322 yards with a 66% completion rate, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He averaged 6.7 yards per attempt. On the surface, those numbers reflect efficiency and ball security, traits that have defined much of his career.
But the advanced metrics tell a more complex story.
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Among 33 qualifying quarterbacks, Rodgers ranked 27th in yards per attempt, 33rd in air yards per attempt, and 23rd in expected points added per dropback. He averaged the second-fastest time to throw in the league. The strategy was clear: get the ball out quickly, minimize hits, rely on running backs and tight ends, and extend fewer plays as his pocket mobility has waned following his Achilles injury.
Rodgers hinted before last season that 2025 could be his final year. Yet by season’s end, he appeared more open to returning. “The current expectation is that if he comes back, it would be to return to Pittsburgh,” NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry reported after the NFL Scouting Combine.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ former head coach in Green Bay, has publicly said he would welcome him back. That familiarity could matter if Rodgers decides he has one more season left.
There have also been reports linking Rodgers to Minnesota. Berry noted that Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell wanted Rodgers last offseason and could have renewed interest amid uncertainty surroundingJ.J. McCarthy’s health. Still, such discussions would require organizational alignment, and Pittsburgh reportedly believes Rodgers will return.
Age remains the defining factor. Aside from Tom Brady, there is little precedent for elite quarterback play at 43. Rodgers’ 2025 season showed he can still manage games and protect the ball. Whether that translates into playoff success is another question.
For Pittsburgh, the decision shapes the entire offseason. The Steelers are navigating roster adjustments and injury concerns, including along the offensive line. Stability at quarterback would provide clarity.
For Rodgers, the ranking as the No. 3 free agent quarterback reflects both respect and reality. He is still capable. He is no longer dominant. His next move, whether it is one final season or retirement, will ripple across the league.