Good, dangerous, or one thing in-between, Aaron Rodgers’ time in Pittsburgh will set no less than one document. As long as he takes one common season snap in 2025, he’ll turn out to be the oldest participant to ever play for the Steelers’ franchise. He’ll be the primary 40-year-old participant to ever swimsuit up for the workforce.
After all, it’s unusual for anybody of their 40s to play within the NFL. Per Professional Soccer Reference’s Stathead, solely 77 have in league historical past, together with Rodgers the previous two seasons with the New York Jets. That feels like quite a bit however to place that in perspective, 249 gamers have performed at age 38 or 39. Do the mathematics and meaning 249 of them, almost 70-percent, didn’t make it to 40.
The primary NFL gamers to take action occurred sooner than you suppose. Two appeared within the league’s 1920 inaugural season. Offensive lineman Phil Nesser and finish Bobby Marshall have been every 40 that yr, a time when an NFL roster largely consisted of “whoever was and will kinda play.” Enjoyable info on each. Nesser is one-seventh of the largest soccer household in league historical past with six brothers who additionally performed within the league. In the meantime, Marshall is without doubt one of the first two black gamers in league historical past, becoming a member of Fritz Pollard in 1920.
From 1930-1959, just one participant would obtain the mark, New York Giants’ Corridor of Famer Ken Sturdy returning to play to fill rosters depleted by World Battle II. It turned extra widespread within the 40s with considered one of soccer’s most well-known examples. George Blanda. A do-it-all participant, he transitioned from quarterback to full-time kicker as soon as he reached his fortieth birthday (Blanda kicked all through his profession however primarily served in that function in his 40s). He performed via his age-48 season, a profession that spanned 4 literal many years, 1949 to 1975. To place that in perspective, Blanda’s NFL profession started when QB Terry Bradshaw was 1-year previous. When Blanda retired, Bradshaw was a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion.
Blanda stays the oldest participant in NFL historical past. Rodgers gained’t hit that mark.
Quick-forwarding to fashionable instances, current 40-something gamers embrace OT Jason Peters, TE Marcedes Lewis, QB Tom Brady, and a slew of kickers.
Rodgers will substitute QB Ben Roethlisberger because the oldest Steeler in historical past. Roethlisberger missed out on his fortieth birthday by mere months when his profession led to a Wild Card loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Proper behind him is punter Bobby Walden. He, too, almost reached 40, taking part in his last sport in 1977 at 39 years and 276 days previous. Beneath is an inventory of the oldest Steelers to seem in a sport, an inventory Rodgers will high (assuming he’s not requested to push any coaching camp sleds) September 7.
Oldest Steelers To Seem In A Recreation
1. Ben Roethlisberger/QB – 39 years, 320 days
2. Bobby Walden/P – 39 years, 276 days
3. James Harrison/EDGE – 39 years, 263 days
4. Ernie Stautner/DL – 38 years, 239 days
5. Norm Johnson/Okay – 38 years, 211 days
6. Dustin Colquitt/Okay – 38 years, 165 days
7. Charlie Batch/QB – 37 years, 363 days
8. Mose Kelsch/Okay – 37 years, 256 days
9. Mark Rodenhauser/LS – 37 years, 210 days
One other enjoyable truth. Kelsch is thought to be the primary pure placekicker in NFL historical past, kicking for Pittsburgh in 1933 and 1934. We devoted a video to him years in the past.
Rodgers’ mark is ceremonial. Present up, play, make the information. Pittsburgh is hoping there’s extra tangible numbers behind it. That features becoming a member of an unique membership of quarterbacks to beat all 32 groups, one thing Rodgers would obtain by defeating the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week 8. However Pittsburgh isn’t chasing or anticipating information. The workforce wants above-average quarterback play, somebody who takes care of the soccer and makes performs, with a stable group round who gained’t ask an excessive amount of of Rodgers. In any case, he’s the oldest participant in Steelers’ historical past.
