There are now just four quarterbacks in the history of the NFL with more passing yards than Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers moved into the No. 5 spot on the all-time passing yards list, and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback did so by passing arguably the greatest Steeler of all time, Ben Roethlisberger.
The current Steelers QB passed the former Pittsburgh signal-caller late in the second half on a swing pass to running back Jaylen Warren during “Thursday Night Football” against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Aaron Rodgers Moves Up All-Time Passing List
Coincidentally, next up on the list for Rodgers is another player who preceded him in a historic franchise: Brett Favre. Rodgers has a lot of work left to do in order to catch Favre, the man he took over for in Green Bay on the all-time list. The most likely outcome for Rodgers is he ends his career at No. 5, as he’s got a lot of work to do if he’s going to move any farther up the list.
1. Tom Brady (89,214 yards)
2. Drew Brees (80,358 yards)
3. Peyton Manning (71,490 yards)
4. Brett Favre (71,638 yards)
Rodgers’ number will obviously still grow, but he passed Roethlisberger’s 64,088 yards to move up the list. Here’s a wild stat to consider that puts Rodgers’ accomplishment in more context, at least as it pertains to Roethlisberger. Even with a pair of second-quarter interceptions against the Bengals, Rodgers moved ahead of Big Ben while throwing 90 fewer interceptions. Basically, a Baker Mayfield career’s worth of picks separates the two.
Aaron Rodgers Having Early Success With Steelers
Barring a Super Bowl run, Rodgers’ Steelers era will likely be a relative afterthought in a Hall of Fame career. He certainly did most of his damage with the Packers, where he was a four-time MVP who won a Super Bowl at the end of the 2010 season.
However, Rodgers’ run with the Steelers might have already surpassed his entire two-year stint with the New York Jets. Pittsburgh entered “Thursday Night Football” against Cincinnati with a 4-1 record, and while Rodgers isn’t putting up vintage performances, he’s been a stabilizing presence — in more ways than one — that Mike Tomlin’s team badly needed.
“The early returns of the Rodgers experience are positive since he signed a one-0year deal with the Steelers in June,” ESPN.com wrote on Oct. 16. “That’s because Rodgers is playing smart football within the offense and integrating seamlessly in the organizational culture. Defensive captain Cameron Heyward said this year’s team has been closer from top to bottom, and he said Rodgers has been a big part of that.”
There’s also been no shortage of hoopla and headlines around Rodgers’ new team in the first half of the season. The Steelers already beat the Vikings in Ireland, and a Week 7 Thursday night game is just the appetizer for a must-see Week 8 “Sunday Night Football” clash against his old team, the Green Bay Packers.
And for as good as Rodgers has looked for most of the 2025 season, it’s still early. Rodgers turns 42 in early December, and the AFC North is relenting, especially for a 40-something as winter approaches.
