Tom Brady knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in the National Football League at 40-plus years old. He is one of only a few to have any semblance of success at that age. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is the latest to push the limits of age in the NFL, and Brady likes what he’s seeing.
“Beyond impressed,” Brady said via FOX NFL Sunday. “I think at that age, there’s so many other factors that come into play about how to be a great quarterback. And we all wanna talk about what happens in the offseason with him. There’s some things that are, there’s a lot of narratives out there. It’s a little different. But what we know about him on the field is he’s a surgical passer. He’s got a killer instinct. He’s hyper competitive. And I think he’s brought all those things to Pittsburgh.”
Has Rodgers looked like an MVP through four games? No, but he has elevated the Steelers’ offense beyond what it’s been in recent seasons. After years of being bottom dwellers in red-zone touchdown percentage, the Steelers are eighth so far this season, converting 69.2 percent of their opportunities into a touchdown.
Rodgers’ athleticism has faded from earlier years, but he can still move better than he did last season coming off an Achilles injury. He’s learned how to protect himself by getting the ball out of his hands early.
If you look at the 2021 season, the two quickest times to throw were held by Ben Roethlisberger (2.38) and Tom Brady (2.5). Who is the quickest this year? Rodgers at 2.52 seconds. That hasn’t prevented them from finding ways to create explosive plays. The Steelers led the NFL in yards after the catch (YAC) prior to their bye week, and may still when the dust settles in Week 5.
Rodgers’ quick release is part of that success, but it also takes an elite mental processor at the line of scrimmage. He is able to use his cadence as a weapon to get defenses to tip their coverage, and then he is able to find easy wins to elite playmakers like DK Metcallf.
These are the easiest 14 yards you’re ever going to find in the middle of the field in the NFL, and it’s thanks to the scheme and Rodgers’ pre-snap recognition.
Rodgers is on pace to complete 68.5 percent of his passes with 314.5 completions, 3,340.5 yards, 34 TDs, and 12.8 INTs. That wouldn’t be anywhere near an MVP season, but the TD passes and efficiency alone are well beyond what the Steelers have had in recent years. And you get the sense the offense will still continue to grow as the season progresses.
Brady knows good quarterback play when he sees it. What he’s seeing in Rodgers isn’t vintage athleticism or gaudy numbers — it’s control, efficiency, and leadership. The kind that can quietly turn a good team into a dangerous one by season’s end.
