Aaron Rodgers is 21 seasons deep into an NFL career that’s seen just about everything - MVPs, a Super Bowl ring, countless highlight-reel throws - but the fire that drives elite quarterbacks never really dims. Even when the body starts whispering (or shouting) that it’s time to hang it up, that competitive edge doesn’t just vanish. And right now, Rodgers is walking that tightrope between legacy and longevity.
At 42, Rodgers is still slinging it with enough precision and poise to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoff hunt. His numbers through 12 games are solid - 65.4% completion rate, 2,370 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.
That’s not vintage Rodgers, but it’s more than enough to keep the Steelers in the AFC North race. For a guy in his fifth decade, that’s no small feat.
But the question hovering over Rodgers isn’t just about stats - it’s about staying power. Can he push for one more year? Should he?
Dan Marino certainly thinks so. The Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphins icon knows a thing or two about the late-career grind. And when he looks at Rodgers, he sees someone who still has the arm talent and, more importantly, the internal drive to keep going.
“He throws it as good as anybody ever has in the league, and hopefully he continues to play,” Marino said in a recent interview. “Because it’s in your heart, it’s in your soul, your mind.
You want to do it. He’s been doing it at a high level for a very long time.
Hopefully, he can continue to do that.”
That’s not just praise - that’s a nod of respect from one quarterbacking legend to another. Marino knows how hard it is to walk away.
He never got his Super Bowl moment, and the physical toll forced him out at 38. Rodgers, on the other hand, has that elusive ring from Super Bowl 45, but the hunger to compete still seems to be there.
Earlier this year, Rodgers hinted that the 2025-26 season might be his last. But anyone who’s followed his career knows he doesn’t always stick to the script. He’s as introspective as he is competitive, and it’s entirely possible he’ll take some time after the season to really think through his next move.
Physically, Rodgers isn’t the same guy who used to make cross-body throws look effortless. But mentally?
He’s still sharp. He’s still processing defenses at an elite level.
And while he may not be dragging a team to a Super Bowl by himself anymore, he’s still a quarterback capable of winning games and making the right reads in crunch time.
That might not be enough to carry the Steelers to a championship. But it might be enough to justify one more ride.
Whatever Rodgers decides, he’s earned the right to go out on his own terms. And if this is the end, it’s been a remarkable run.
But if it’s not? Well, don’t count out the guy who’s made a career out of proving people wrong.
Just ask Dan Marino - he knows what it looks like when a quarterback still has something left to give.