NFL
Last Rodeo On Track | Aaron Rodgers Passes Peyton Manning, Leads 5-2 Steelers
Entering his 22nd NFL campaign, a season the 42-year-old quarterback has dubbed his last rodeo, Aaron Rodgers is providing the Pittsburgh Steelers with a steady, veteran hand under center.
Entering his 22nd NFL campaign, a season the 42-year-old quarterback has dubbed his "last rodeo," Aaron Rodgers is providing the Pittsburgh Steelers with a steady, veteran hand under center.
Through the first seven weeks of the 2026 NFL season, Rodgers has guided Pittsburgh to a 5-2 record, tied atop the competitive AFC North, while continuing to rewrite the league's historical record books.
Most recently, Rodgers made history during Pittsburgh's 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Connecting with tight end Darnell Washington for a four-yard score, Rodgers officially logged his 540th career regular-season touchdown pass, passing Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to take sole possession of third place on the NFL's all-time passing touchdown list behind only Tom Brady and Drew Brees.
2026 Season and Statistical Profile
- Team Record: 5-2, Pittsburgh Steelers, tied 1st in AFC North
- Completion Rate: 61.6%, 162 of 263 completions
- Passing Volume: 1,699 yards, 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
- Passer Rating: 88.9
- Historic Milestone: Passed Peyton Manning at 539 for 3rd all-time in passing TDs at 540
An Evolving Tactical Approach
Reunited with former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh, advanced analytics reveal that Rodgers is taking a noticeably different tactical approach downfield compared to last season.
Rodgers' average depth of target (ADoT) has increased to 7.99 yards, up from 6.38, while his percentage of deep passes has jumped to 13.9%. Rather than relying on conservative check-downs behind the line of scrimmage, Rodgers has prioritized intermediate throws between the numbers, resulting in back-to-back three-touchdown performances against Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Indianapolis earlier this month.
Aaron Rodgers 2026 Game-by-Game Production
| Game, Opponent | Passing Line (C/A) | Yards and TDs | Passer Rating | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 vs. Atlanta | 24 / 40 (60.0%) | 221 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT | 83.4 | W 20-13 |
| Week 2 at New England | 23 / 39 (59.0%) | 187 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT | 60.5 | L 3-20 |
| Week 3 vs. Cincinnati | 19 / 34 (55.9%) | 292 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT | 101.6 | W 30-27 |
| Week 4 at Cleveland | 22 / 40 (55.0%) | 299 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT | 83.2 | L 24-27 |
| Week 5 vs. Indianapolis | 22 / 31 (71.0%) | 235 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT | 125.1 | W 34-22 |
| Week 6 at Tampa Bay | 33 / 49 (67.3%) | 253 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT | 84.8 | W 26-19 |
| Week 7 at New Orleans | 19 / 30 (63.3%) | 212 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT | 95.4 | W 16-10 |
Playoff Race Outlook
While Rodgers has occasionally dealt with pressure behind an adapting offensive line, taking 22 sacks through seven games, his crunch-time decision-making has kept Pittsburgh positioned as a legitimate playoff threat in the AFC.
With 13 touchdown passes against five interceptions, the future Hall of Famer has given Pittsburgh the offensive stability needed to complement its dominant defense, setting the stage for a compelling final act in his legendary career.
For more NFL coverage, see the Sports hub and our report on Kirk Cousins remaining the Raiders' QB1.
Sources
- 1Rodgers Now 3rd All Time in Passing TDs| Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2Aaron Rodgers' 2026 NFL Season: Tracking Records, Milestones| ESPN
- 3Advanced Numbers Show Aaron Rodgers Is Playing Differently This Year| Steelers Depot
- 4Aaron Rodgers 2026 Season Game Logs and Statistics| StatMuse