Why Aaron Rodgers’ Final Season With Pittsburgh Steelers Has Tom Brady Back In The Picture

Aaron Rodgers is heading into his final NFL season with a piece of Tom Brady's career sitting in the background. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is preparing for his 22nd season at an age rarely reached by players at his position. Brady set the standard for longevity, playing into his mid-40s and winning a Super Bowl at 43. Rodgers now enters his own farewell campaign at 42, giving the season a historical edge beyond the Steelers' hopes. But his return to Pittsburgh also brings another familiar name into focus. Mike McCarthy is back with Rodgers, creating one final chance to revisit a partnership that once produced championship football.

Aaron Rodgers Joins Tom Brady As The Only Quarterbacks To Start At 42 Or Older

The Brady connection comes from Rodgers' age. He is set to start Week 1 at 42 or older, joining Brady as the only quarterbacks since 1950 to reach that mark.

Brady eventually played until he was 45. He also won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 43, showing that age did not automatically end his ability to compete at the highest level.

Rodgers will turn 43 during the 2026 season. He has not reached 4,000 passing yards or 30 touchdowns in a season since 2021, so his final campaign will be closely watched.

He also has another piece of NFL history within reach. Rodgers could join Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre as quarterbacks who have defeated all 32 current NFL franchises.

That gives his farewell season stakes beyond Pittsburgh.

Aaron Rodgers speaks very highly of Dak Prescott pic.twitter.com/svuAlvaXXy

— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) September 11, 2026

Aaron Rodgers Sees Dak Prescott As Proof Of Mike McCarthy's Impact

Rodgers also has a personal reason to believe his final season could be better than expected. His reunion with McCarthy gives him a coach who already knows his game and helped shape the best years of his career.

While discussing Dak Prescott on the Not Just Football Podcast, Rodgers said, “I feel like Dak was playing some damn good football (under McCarthy)…I'm a big Dak fan. I like the way he plays…”

Rodgers praised Prescott's timing, control at the line of scrimmage and ability to attack defenses under McCarthy.

Prescott produced three 12-win seasons with McCarthy and earned his first All-Pro selection during that stretch. Rodgers sees similarities between that version of Prescott and his own successful years in Green Bay.

Now, that relationship gets one final chapter.

The Steelers need the reunion to pay off quickly. Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since 2016 and carries a seven-game postseason losing streak.

For Rodgers, the final season is about more than retirement. It is a chance to leave Pittsburgh with a winning chapter while moving closer to the rare territory once defined by Brady.