Sophia
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has once again etched his name into the NFL history books, surpassing his predecessor and mentor, Brett Favre, for sole possession of fourth place on the league’s all-time passing touchdowns list. The 41-year-old signal-caller achieved this monumental feat on Sunday, delivering his 509th career touchdown pass.
A Historic Connection: Rodgers to Metcalf
The record-breaking throw came in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, a perfectly executed pass to new wide receiver DK Metcalf. This pivotal connection marked Rodgers’ 509th career touchdown, officially moving him past Favre. Not content with just one milestone, Rodgers continued his impressive performance, tossing a second and ultimately game-winning touchdown to Calvin Austin III in the fourth quarter, bringing his career total to 510.
Just last week, during the Steelers’ 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Rodgers had tied Favre’s record with his 508th career touchdown pass, setting the stage for this week’s historic achievement.
Intertwined Legacies: Favre and Rodgers
The careers of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have been inextricably linked for decades. Their story began in 2005 when the Green Bay Packers drafted Rodgers 24th overall, a move that placed him directly behind the then-entrenched starter, Brett Favre. Rodgers spent several seasons learning under Favre’s tutelage before eventually taking over the starting role.
Favre, after his storied tenure with the Packers, went on to play one season with the New York Jets in 2008 before concluding his illustrious career with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. His 508th and final career touchdown pass came on December 20, 2010, in a game against the Chicago Bears.
The Elite Company of NFL Quarterbacks
While Favre once held the record for career touchdown passes, he has since been surpassed by a trio of legendary quarterbacks. Peyton Manning holds 539 career touchdown passes, Drew Brees boasts an impressive 571, and Tom Brady stands atop the list with an astounding 649. Rodgers now joins this elite company, continuing his ascent among the greatest to ever play the game.
What’s Next for Rodgers and the Steelers?
Rodgers’ continued excellence provides a significant boost to the Pittsburgh Steelers as they navigate the current NFL season. His ability to connect with new weapons like DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III signals a promising offensive outlook. As Rodgers continues to rewrite the record books, fans will undoubtedly be watching to see how much higher he can climb on the all-time list and what impact his veteran leadership will have on the Steelers’ playoff aspirations.
