The NFL has often been dubbed “Not For Long,” a phrase notably popularized by former Pittsburgh Steelers foe and Houston Oilers head coach Jerry Glanville. When it comes to the record books, that saying often rings true, especially for all-time career accomplishments. The Steelers now have a player with a knack for making history. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers not only has already secured his place in the record books, but he also continues to climb the all-time rankings.
With Rodgers telling reporters that 2026 will be his final season, he has a chance to reach a couple of significant personal milestones. His reunion with head coach Mike McCarthy could help him achieve two major career accomplishments. First, he could join an exclusive club in career passing yards. He also has an opportunity to move up the NFL's all-time touchdown pass leaderboard. Accomplishing both will require a strong season, but if this truly is Rodgers' final year, he may leave everything on the field as he and McCarthy try to lead the Steelers to victory, and add a few more milestones to his resume.
Rodgers can reach a rare quarterback milestone
With 3,726 passing yards, Rodgers would become just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach 70,000 career passing yards. The only quarterbacks to accomplish that feat are Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre. Rodgers currently ranks fifth all-time with 66,274 passing yards. However, he holds only a 1,758-yard lead over Matthew Stafford, who could potentially pass him in the career rankings next season.
Even so, Rodgers faces a bit of an uphill climb to reach 70,000 yards. Although McCarthy's offense has traditionally leaned heavily on the passing game, Rodgers has averaged only 3,600 passing yards per year over the past two seasons. If the Steelers' offense comes together early and Rodgers recaptures some vintage AR12 form, he could reach the milestone by Week 16.
Rodgers can move up the all-time touchdown pass list
Rodgers comfortably ranks fourth in NFL history with 527 career touchdown passes, trailing only Brady, Brees, and Manning. With 13 touchdown passes this season, Rodgers would surpass Manning's 539 and move into third place on the all-time list. There is also a realistic, though unlikely, path for Rodgers to finish second all-time.
Brees sits in second place with 571 career touchdown passes. To surpass him, Rodgers would need to throw 45 touchdown passes this season. At 42 and approaching his 43rd birthday, that's a tall order. If he somehow pulled it off, it could spark a media frenzy about Rodgers retiring at the top of his game. It might even open the door to 2026 not being his final NFL season.
For now, though, surpassing Manning appears to be the much more attainable milestone.
