Aaron Rodgers passes HOFer on all-time regular-season TD passes list

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers passes Pro Football Hall of Famer on all-time regular-season TD passes list in win over Saints

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 25, 2026 1:28 PM ET

Entering Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in Paris, Pittsburgh Steelers 22nd-year quarterback Aaron Rodgers was tied with Hall of Famer Manning for the third-most touchdown passes in the regular season in NFL history (539). Rodgers passed him midway through the second quarter of the international contest.

Aaron Rodgers passes Peyton Manning

Rodgers tossed a four -yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington on a fade route, giving the Steelers a 10-3 lead over the Saints. Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy, who coached Rodgers from 2006-18 with the Green Bay Packers, may have had that in mind when calling the play. Lining up Washington (6-foot-7, 264 pounds) against cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (5-foot-11, 199 pounds) created a mismatch, making it an even easier throw for Rodgers.

That was his only TD pass in the matchup. The Steelers beat the Saints 16-10, improving to 5-2. New Orleans, meanwhile, is 2-5.

BALL UP TOP @_Dwfootball11 pic.twitter.com/JMkbZiZ3ry
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 25, 2026

How do Aaron Rodgers' numbers compare to Peyton Manning?

Manning threw 539 TD passes in 266 regular-season games (265 starts) for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. Rodgers played his 271st game on Sunday and made his 264th start.

So, Manning hit the mark slightly faster than Rodgers, but he got off to a head start. The Colts selected Manning with pick No. 1 in the 1998 NFL Draft and immediately made him their starter. Rodgers, meanwhile, fell to the Packers at pick No. 24 in the 2005 draft. He subsequently spent four seasons as HOFer Brett Favre's understudy.

Both QBs traveled different paths, but it has clearly worked out for both. Each ranks among the best QBs ever. And when Rodgers retires, he will certainly join Manning in Canton.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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