Aaron Rodgers’ most notable accomplishments, moments of NFL career

Aaron Rodgers isn’t done playing just yet.

The 41-year-old four-time NFL MVP is planning to join the Pittsburgh Steelers for his 21st season. He spent his last two seasons with the New York Jets following an 18-year run with the Green Bay Packers to start his career.

Rodgers comes to Pittsburgh with a lengthy list of accomplishments and memorable moments.

Here are some of the most notable:

Long wait

After developing into an NFL prospect after one year at Butte College and two at Cal, Rodgers was a possibility to go first overall in 2005. He had a longer-than-expected wait, however, before Green Bay selected him 24th overall.

Patience pays off

After sitting behind Brett Favre for three seasons, Rodgers got his opportunity to be the Packers’ starter in 2008 after Favre — who retired briefly and then returned — was traded to the Jets. Rodgers quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top passers, throwing for 4,038 yards. It was the first of 10 seasons during which he would pass for at least 4,000 yards.

Super season

Rodgers led the Packers to the Super Bowl to cap the 2010 season and was selected the game’s MVP after throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay’s 31–25 win over Pittsburgh.

First MVP

Rodgers won the first of his four AP NFL MVP awards in 2011 after passing for a career-high and franchise-best 4,643 yards with 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions while setting an NFL record with a 122.5 passer rating.

Second MVP

In 2014, Rodgers and the Packers bounced back from a sluggish 1-2 start to reach the NFC Championship Game, where Green Bay lost to Seattle. He capped the season by winning his second MVP award.

“Miracle in Motown”

One of Rodgers’ most memorable passes came in Detroit in Week 13 of the 2015 season against the Lions, who led the Packers 23-20 and appeared to win until a defensive facemask penalty was called with no time left on the clock. It gave Green Bay one more chance, and Rodgers chucked a 61-yard toss that was caught by Richard Rodgers in the end zone for an unlikely victory. It was the first of Rodgers’ four career completed Hail Mary throws, the most in NFL history.

Third MVP

Rodgers threw a career-high and Packers-record 48 touchdown passes and set a personal best with a 70.7 completion percentage on his way to his third AP NFL MVP award. The Packers made it to the NFC title game again, but lost to Tom Brady and eventual Super Bowl-champion Tampa Bay. Rodgers fell to 1-4 in conference championship games and became the first quarterback to lose four consecutive appearances.

Vaccination controversy

Rodgers missed a game in 2021 after testing positive for COVID-19 and later acknowledged he hadn’t gotten the vaccine. He said he was “immunized” when asked about his vaccination status before the season. Although he took responsibility for being misleading about his status initially, Rodgers also criticized the way NFL protocols impacted unvaccinated players and frequently spoke out regarding his skepticism over the vaccine.

Fourth MVP

Rodgers capped a controversy-tinged 2021 season by winning his fourth AP NFL MVP award, becoming the fifth player to win consecutive MVPs and first since Peyton Manning (2008 and 2009). He and Manning are also the only players to win at least four MVP awards.

Swan song in Green Bay

Rodgers signed a three-year contract before the 2022 season with the Packers worth $150.8 million, with $101.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in North American sports history on an annual basis at that time. He broke his right thumb early in the season but continued playing, and the Packers finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

Big deal, big disappointment

Rodgers was traded to New York on April 26, 2023, immediately raising expectations for the Jets, whose only Super Bowl appearance was in the 1968 season. But just four snaps into his debut in the season opener against Buffalo, Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon.

Broadway bust

Rodgers started off slowly in his return from his torn Achilles tendon and then dealt with other knee, ankle and hamstring injuries as the Jets got off to a 2-3 start and fired coach Robert Saleh. Rodgers played better down the stretch, but New York finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs for the 14th straight year. After becoming the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 regular-season touchdown passes in the season finale, Rodgers said he needed to take some time off to ponder his playing future.

Jetting away

On Feb. 13, 2025, the Jets said they had informed Rodgers that new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey would be moving in another direction at quarterback. He was released a month later, officially ending Rodgers’ tenure with the franchise.

Showing up in Steel City

Rodgers ended several months of speculation when he informed the Steelers on June 5 that he plans to sign with Pittsburgh, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Rodgers had not yet signed a contract. His first game of the season? At the Jets in Week 1 against former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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