Dan Marino knows a thing or two about elite quarterback play - and he’s not ready to see Aaron Rodgers hang it up just yet.
With Rodgers guiding the Pittsburgh Steelers through a tight AFC North race and chasing a third straight playoff appearance, the Dolphins legend is rooting for the 42-year-old to keep the ride going. And with retirement rumors swirling ahead of a primetime clash between Pittsburgh and Miami, Marino’s support carries some weight - especially considering how personal this matchup is for him.
Marino’s ties to this game go way beyond the stat sheet. He’s a Pittsburgh native, a Pitt Panthers icon, and once had the chance to suit up for the Steelers himself after his Dolphins days ended in 2000. He turned that offer down, but the connection to his hometown team has never faded.
Now, he’s watching another future Hall of Famer carry the torch in the Steel City - and doing it at a high level. Rodgers has thrown 20 touchdowns to just seven interceptions over 12 games, with a 96.2 passer rating that’s kept the Steelers firmly in the playoff mix. The numbers don’t lie: even at 42, Rodgers is still making throws that most quarterbacks can only dream about.
Speaking recently, Marino shared that while he hasn’t spent much time with Rodgers - mostly crossing paths at celebrity golf tournaments in Lake Tahoe or during his CBS broadcasting days - the respect is there. Big time.
“He’s an incredible player,” Marino said. “He throws it as good as anybody ever has in the league.” That’s high praise coming from a guy whose own release was once the gold standard.
Marino added that he hopes Rodgers keeps playing, pointing to the passion that still shows up in every snap. “It’s still in his heart and soul,” he said. And when you watch Rodgers operate - the command at the line, the touch passes, the pocket movement - it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Rodgers, for his part, seems to be embracing his role as one of the NFL’s elder statesmen. After Philip Rivers came out of retirement to join the Colts, Rodgers cracked a smile and noted that he’s no longer the league’s oldest active player.
But he still gave Rivers his flowers - praising his grit, football IQ, and legendary trash talk. That combination of humility and competitiveness?
It’s something Marino clearly admires.
As the Steelers prepare to host the Dolphins under the Monday night lights, Rodgers’ future remains an open question. But for now, he's still slinging it, still competing, and still giving Pittsburgh a shot. And if you ask Dan Marino, that’s exactly how it should be.