Aaron Rodgers Turns Back the Clock in Steelers’ Monday Night Win Over Dolphins
Aaron Rodgers looked every bit like the quarterback we’ve watched carve up defenses for the better part of two decades, as he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a convincing 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 15’s Monday Night Football clash.
At 42 years old, Rodgers didn’t just manage the game - he commanded it. He completed 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards, tossed two touchdowns, and didn’t turn the ball over once. Efficiency, poise, and precision - it was all there, in a performance that reminded fans and former colleagues alike why Rodgers’ name still carries heavyweight status.
One of those former colleagues? Joe Barry, who served as Rodgers’ defensive coordinator during their time together in Green Bay.
After the game, cameras caught Barry - now a linebackers coach and run game coordinator with the Dolphins - sharing a moment with his former quarterback. No fluff, no qualifiers.
Just respect.
“You’re the GOAT,” Barry told Rodgers. “I mean that. Greatest of all time.”
Rodgers Outduels Tagovailoa in Prime Time
Rodgers’ stat line was clean, clinical, and vintage. But what stood out most was how comfortable he looked in the moment - like someone who’s been here before and knows exactly how to operate when the lights are brightest.
Across the field, Tua Tagovailoa had a solid night statistically - 22-of-28 for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception - but Rodgers simply made fewer mistakes and more timely plays. It wasn’t just about numbers; it was about control.
Rodgers had it. Tua was chasing it.
And for Rodgers, this wasn’t just another December win. It meant something more.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been a part of stuff like this,” Rodgers said postgame. “Nothing changes. It’s just, I feel real comfortable in this environment.”
That “environment” he’s referring to? Late-season football with playoff implications. It’s the kind of football Rodgers has thrived in throughout his career - and clearly, it’s the kind he’s missed.
A Familiar Face on the Opposing Sideline
Joe Barry knows Rodgers better than most. He saw him up close in Green Bay, not just on Sundays, but every day in practice - the way he read defenses, manipulated coverages, and made throws most quarterbacks wouldn’t dare attempt.
So when Barry called Rodgers the greatest of all time, it wasn’t lip service. It was firsthand testimony.
Barry’s own journey has taken some turns. After being let go by the Packers in January 2024, he landed in Miami as part of Mike McDaniel’s staff. But even in a new role on a new team, the respect for Rodgers clearly hasn’t faded.
The Bigger Picture
This win doesn’t just bolster Pittsburgh’s playoff chances - it signals something deeper: Rodgers isn’t just along for the ride. He’s here to compete.
He’s here to lead. And if Monday night was any indication, he’s still got enough left in the tank to be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Rodgers didn’t need to throw for 400 yards or launch deep bombs to prove he’s still got it. What he showed was even more valuable - command, timing, decision-making, and the ability to elevate everyone around him.
That’s what makes a quarterback great. And in Rodgers’ case, maybe even the greatest.