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Matthew Stafford Set to Overtake Dan Marino as Aaron Rodgers Eyes Ben Roethlisberger’s Record
Matthew Stafford (L) and Aaron Rodgers (R) Matthew Stafford (L) and Aaron Rodgers (R). Stafford Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. Rodgers Credit: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is proving that age is just a number. Five games into his age-37 season, Stafford remains one of the league’s most reliable and explosive passers, a reminder that time hasn’t dulled his arm or leadership. Even after the Rams’ 26–23 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, his recent play stands out as some of the best in football.

Over the past two weeks, Stafford has completed 67% of his passes for 764 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions, topping 375 yards in both games. Those are championship-caliber numbers, sparking early MVP conversation for a quarterback who continues to elevate his team.

But beyond weekly accolades, Stafford is also closing in on a major career milestone. With 61,312 career passing yards, he sits just 49 yards shy of Dan Marino’s 61,361, which ranks seventh on the NFL’s all-time passing list. He’s all but certain to pass Marino in Week 6, adding another line to his Hall of Fame résumé.

Once that happens, Matt Ryan (62,792), Philip Rivers (63,440), and Aaron Rodgers (63,738) are next in line for Stafford to chase.

Meanwhile, Rodgers, now the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3–1 start, is writing his own late-career chapter. His impact has been immediate, helping Pittsburgh win tight games with signature clutch plays.

In Week 1, he threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally the Steelers past his former team, the New York Jets. Two weeks later, he found Calvin Austin III for the game-winning score with 2:16 left. Then, in Week 4, his 80-yard bomb to DK Metcalf sealed a 24–21 win over Minnesota.

Statistically, Rodgers has been efficient on the surface with 68.5% completions, 786 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 102.6 passer rating. Yet, Pro Football Focus ranks him 37th of 38 quarterbacks, showing that while his production looks solid, the explosiveness and consistency of his prime aren’t fully back.

He’s also been playing in a run-heavy Steelers offense, one that relies on Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to control tempo and protect the aging star. That conservative approach, combined with occasional protection issues, may make collecting passing yards more difficult for Rodgers as the season progresses.

Still, Rodgers sits just 350 yards shy of Ben Roethlisberger’s 64,088, meaning he could pass Big Ben for fifth place all-time in one or two games. If his efficiency holds up, he could also set his sights on Rivers later this year.

This article first appeared on The SportsRush and was syndicated with permission.

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