Aaron Rodgers' NFL longevity to be highlighted Browns matchup

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers' NFL longevity to be highlighted by Steelers' matchup with Browns

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Dec 24, 2025 11:33 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers has been doing this professional football thing for a long time.

That's a known fact for even the average NFL fan, but the true longevity of his career is going to be highlighted in Week 17 when his Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns.

Rodgers, of course, started his career back in 2005 when the Green Bay Packers halted his draft slide and took him to be an "apprentice" behind a living legend in Brett Favre.

At the time, Deion Sanders, a living legend himself, was in his final season in the NFL. He finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens, though he was best known for his stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.

Now, this upcoming Sunday, back in 2025, Rodgers is going to square off against Sanders' son, Shedeur Sanders.

Rodgers has been slingin' it for a long time pic.twitter.com/XozFdJF5Iv
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 24, 2025

The younger Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Browns. He had a draft slide of his own, though it was much more pronounced compared to Rodgers'.

After being QB3 for much of this season, the Browns have given Sanders the chance to start their past few games. He's 1-4 as a starter, and things aren't necessarily going great. He's thrown for 1,103 yards and six touchdowns compared to eight interceptions with an abysmal QBR of 18.6.

Aaron Rodgers has had a legendary 21 seasons in the NFL

For comparison's sake, Rodgers, a future NFL Hall of Famer, has the Steelers at 9-6 at 42 years old. He's thrown for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions, and his average QBR is 44.3.

He's not the same quarterback he was when he won four MVP awards with the Packers, but old man Rodgers can still sling the football with the best of him.

He's still impressive out there, as is the reality of his 21 incredible seasons in the NFL.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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