QB · FA · 44 yrs · exp 22 · Tennessee
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Josh Allen turns 30 and has achieved significant milestones in his eight NFL seasons, ranking highly in wins and touchdown passes before the age of 30. Despite his individual success and being considered one of the league's best players, the Bills have yet to surround him with enough talent to win a Super Bowl, putting increasing pressure on the organization
Aaron Rodgers once called his football future "a beautiful mystery." Now, one of the game's all-time greats seems to have solved it. The four-time NFL MVP plans to retire after his 22nd professional season this fall , he announced on Wednesday, May 20. The decision comes just four days after Rodgers agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract . Rodgers, 42, will step away from the game as one of the most decorated and accomplished passers in league history. Only Peyton Manning has won more MVP awards with five. He ranks fourth all-time in touchdown passes (527) and fifth in passing yards (66,274). He also led the Green Bay Packers to the franchise's fourth Super Bowl title in the 2011 season, earning Super Bowl 45 MVP honors for his performance. His place as one of the game's most prolific and efficient signal-callers is firmly entrenched. He is tied with the Baltimore Ravens ' Lamar Jackson for the highest career passer rating (102.6) as well as the two highest single-season marks (122.5 in 2011 and 121.5 in 2020) in that category. He managed to play aggressively in stretches while seldom putting the ball in harm's way, with his 4.28 touchdown-to-interception ratio easily the best in league history for quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts. Rodgers also staked his claim as one of the league's best deep-ball throwers in his prime. Along with his quick release, his knack for drawing defenders offside and then attacking with a downfield strike became one of his calling cards. Rodgers also set himself apart from even the most prominent peers of his generation by completing several signature Hail Mary heaves. Yet his career was also marked by personal grievances and controversies, particularly in his latter years, as he repeatedly clashed with Packers leadership and became an outspoken critic of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts after misleading the media about his own vaccination status in 2021. In 2023, he went on a four-day darkness retreat in southern Oregon, later saying he was initially 90% certain he would retire as a Packer but that afterward he felt something had changed with the team's stance toward him. He then openly stated his intention to play for the New York Jets , and a trade followed 40 days later. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. The Texans' Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. The Texans' Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026. His two seasons in New York were defined by profound disappointment, as he tore his Achilles just four plays into his debut campaign. His follow-up also proved to be a substantial letdown, as the Jets went 5-12, extending the league's longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons at the time. After signing with the Steelers, however, Rodgers set himself up for a more even-keeled finish to a career that is bound to earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here's a look back at the highs and lows of Rodgers' storied professional run: Rodgers' NFL career arc was dramatic from the very beginning. The Cal standout endured one of the more famous draft-day waits in 2005, when he lasted all the way to the No. 24 selection despite being projected to be one of the class' top picks. His first three seasons in Green Bay were spent as a backup to Hall of Famer Brett Favre. In March 2008, Favre retired, clearing the way for Rodgers to take over as starter - though the rifle-armed veteran attempted to return to the Packers months later but was rebuffed by the team, leading to his eventual trade to the Jets. Rodgers discovered success early once he took t [... truncated ...]
The 2026 NFL offseason will be the last one that will require an " Aaron Rodgers watch." Rodgers announced on Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Steelers ' organized team activities (OTAs) that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL, making the coming year his retirement tour. "Yes. This is it," Rodgers said, via ESPN , when asked if 2026 would be his last NFL season. Rodgers will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history after his retirement at the conclusion of the 2026 NFL season. He is the sport's all-time leader in touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.3, 527-123) and passer rating (102.2) while entering 2026 as fourth all time in passing touchdowns with 527. Rodgers' four NFL MVPs are the second-most in league history behind only Peyton Manning's five, and he earned both a Super Bowl ring and Super Bowl MVP by winning Super XLV for the Green Bay Packers in a triumphant effort against the Steelers. It makes sense that Rodgers is choosing to walk away after the coming year. He simply doesn't have the same magic that made him one of the league's best to ever do it. One of his top strengths throughout his future Hall of Fame career is his ability to scramble and dance around in and outside of the pocket to create throwing lanes and big plays. However with limited mobility in his 40s, the magic is slipping away. On third downs in 2025, Rodgers surrendered a sack rate of 10.7%, the 10th-highest in the entire NFL. In no game was that more apparent than his last played in the 2025 AFC wild card round. In a 30-6 home loss against the Houston Texans , who have the best pass-rush duo in football in Will Anderson Jr . and Danielle Hunter , he took four sacks, tossed an interception and fumbled twice, one of which resulted in a turnover. When he turns 43 years old on Dec. 2, he'll become the sixth quarterback in NFL history to start a game at the age of 43 or older. Rodgers chose to come back to both football and the Steelers in 2026 to finish out his career with new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy, his head coach of 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2006-2018). Their reunion will make them the first quarterback-head coach duo to win a Super Bowl together before joining forces again on a new team. "I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh. But when the decision was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back," Rodgers said, via ESPN . ... "There is a full aspect circle that piqued my interest of coming back."
Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that this will be his final NFL season. It’s OK to be skeptical. Rodgers has teased retirement before. Even last year he said he was “pretty sure” 2025 would be his last season, he had a solid season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and decided (eventually) to come back for another season. But now he insists this will be his last season. “Yes. This is it,” Rodgers told the Pittsburgh media . Plenty of NFL fans grown weary of Rodgers, his seemingly endless dance with retirement, and other views that have rubbed people the wrong way. But Wednesday’s proclamation, which didn’t leave any ambiguity, allows everyone to take a step back from the sideshows and give Rodgers his retirement tour. He has undoubtedly earned it. We’ll have to see if NFL fans agree. No matter what anyone wants to say about Rodgers, he is one of the best players in NFL history. It’s even OK to argue he’s No. 1 on that list. Rodgers is tied with Lamar Jackson for the best career passer rating in NFL history among qualified quarterbacks. He has four NFL MVPs, and only Peyton Manning has more. He won a Super Bowl at the end of the 2010 season and his 2011 season, with 45 touchdowns and six interceptions, might be the best season a quarterback has ever had. But it was more than just the numbers. Rodgers made throws that no other quarterback has made before or since . He was the perfect package of unique arm talent, knowledge of the game and athleticism, at least in his prime. The stats are unbelievable. Actually watching Rodgers compile them was even more impressive. Tom Brady won more rings, Manning won more MVPs, Patrick Mahomes has done some of both at a young age, but the most physically gifted quarterback ever might be Rodgers. But when it comes to how Rodgers is perceived, it’s complicated. It has been for a while. Rodgers and LeBron James have plenty in common. Neither one is considered the consensus GOAT in their sport, though each has a great argument for it. They’ve been performing at a prime level far longer than almost everyone else who has ever played their sport. And by 2026, plenty of fans are ready for them go. Any athlete that sticks around and wins a lot will eventually wear out their welcome, especially in the social media era. It’s hard to have a perfect approval rating. Like James, Rodgers hasn’t been shy about his political views. People have gotten angry at news outside of the games, whether it was James orchestrating his son being drafted by the Lakers or Rodgers’ “immunized” comment in 2021 or salacious stories about Rodgers’ rifts with his family. It’s almost inevitable that great athletes will collect critics when they’ve been in an extreme spotlight as long as Rodgers and James have. The late Ted Thompson, who drafted Rodgers when he was Green Bay Packers GM, famously said that Rodgers was a “complicated fella.” It’s a quote that sums up Rodgers and his legacy. The “will he or won’t he” drama the past few years regarding retirement hasn’t helped (much like “The Decision” forever turned people off to James). This time around, Rodgers said “there was some doubt for sure” over whether he’d return, but after conversations with his wife and new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, he came around to coming back for this season. One final season. So he says now. Week 16 will be Rodgers’ final home game, though Steelers fans don’t have the long-term connection with him like Packers fans do. Week 18 at Baltimore will be Rodgers’ final regular-season game. We’ll see if Pittsburgh makes it back to the playoffs to extend Rodgers’ career beyond that. Based on Rodgers’ career, which will span 23 seasons, it should be a celebration each week as one of the truly great players in NFL history nears the finish line. If only it were that simple
As he does entering any NFL season, Emmitt Smith has big expectations for the Dallas Cowboys . The 2026 campaign excites Smith for obvious reasons, such as the second year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the addition of defensive coordinator Christian Parker and safety Caleb Downs , and the seemingly smooth handling of George Pickens and the franchise tag. But it's the lack of noise coming from "Big D" and owner Jerry Jones that has the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back believing things might be different after all for a team that hasn't reached the NFC Championship game since the 1995 season. “I think the bigger sign is that it’s been a slow, quiet offseason – the way it needs to be,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports on May 12. “Now that we’ve gotten George Pickens out of the way, quietness is important, because it says the focus is where it needs to be – on the field." That focus is important for both the fans and players, Smith said. "It’s important for people to know, ‘We don’t need all that drama.’ We’re too good of an organization to be dealing with all that drama. Don’t need it," Smith said. "Sometimes you have to rise above the fray, and this is one of those times where we need to rise above the fray. Because the last 31 years have not produced the things that we want to see. There’s no reason to be having drama when you don’t have to. You don’t have to create it." During his playing days, Smith didn’t want to give opposition any “bulletin-board material.” “That’s what drama brings," said Smith, who Spoke to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of his partnership with Bud Light, which includes a commercial he filmed with Peyton Manning to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “I have to believe that our Cowboys team is going to be better than they were last year,” he added. Nate Davis: We found 13 wins on the Cowboys' 2026 schedule – how about you? | Opinion The 2025 season, Schottenheimer's first at the helm following five seasons of Mike McCarthy (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers ) coaching the team, ended with a 7-9-1 record. The offense looked explosive with quarterback Dak Prescott and his top two receivers CeeDee Lamb and Pickens, but the defense was a disaster. No team gave up more points than Dallas, which also struggled situationally (worst opponent third-down conversion rate). Matt Eberflus was fired and replaced by Parker, who joins from the rival Philadelphia Eagles . Firing the defensive coordinator was the right move, said Smith, who called Parker a “young guy who can communicate and relate to these young players." "This defensive coordinator now has a chance to bring all of the pieces together," the three-time Super Bowl champion said. A year ago, Jones couldn't keep himself out of the headlines as the contract impasse with Micah Parsons extended into training camp. Dallas traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers a week before the regular season began for two first-round picks and nose tackle Kenny Clark. The calmness, especially compared to last year's antics, is a welcome development for Smith. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Emmitt Smith enjoying Cowboys, Jerry Jones' 'slow, quiet offseason'
The news that Aaron Rodgers is officially back with the Steelers for his 22nd NFL season means he'll continue to add to one of the most impressive statistical résumés any quarterback has ever assembled. Of particular note is that Rodgers is likely to move ahead of Peyton Manning for the third-most touchdown passes in NFL history. Rodgers has thrown 527 touchdown passes in his NFL career, while Manning retired with 539, so Rodgers needs just 13 touchdown passes to move ahead of Manning. As long as Rodgers stays healthy, he should eclipse Manning's career total early in the season. Rodgers would likely need to play two more seasons to move into second place, which is currently occupied by Drew Brees , with 571 career touchdown passes. And Tom Brady 's all-time record of 649 career touchdown passes appears insurmountable. Rodgers could also lose, a couple of of the career records he currently holds, however. At the moment, Rodgers is tied for the highest career passer rating in NFL history: Rodgers and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson both have a passer rating of 102.2. But last year Jackson's passer rating was 103.8 and Rodgers' was 94.8, so if they both play at the same level in 2026, Jackson will take first place in the record books all to himself. Rodgers could also fall behind Joe Burrow (101.1) and Patrick Mahomes (100.8), who are currently third and fourth in NFL history in career passer rating. The best career passer rating is a record Rodgers likely won't hold by the end of the season. Another career record Rodgers could lose is the all-time lowest interception percentage. Rodgers has thrown 123 interceptions in 8,743 career passes, a career interception rate of 1.41 percent. Rodgers is just barely ahead of Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett , who has a career interception rate of 1.42 percent, and not far ahead of Justin Herbert at 1.7 percent and Burrow and Mahomes at 1.8 percent. Ultimately, the numbers Rodgers puts up this season, when he'll turn 43 years old, won't matter a lot to his legacy. He's an all-time great regardless of what he does this season. But his career numbers will change, and perhaps not entirely for the better
The news that Aaron Rodgers is officially back with the Steelers for his 22nd NFL season means he’ll continue to add to one of the most impressive statistical résumés any quarterback has ever assembled. Of particular note is that Rodgers is likely to move ahead of Peyton Manning for the third-most touchdown passes in NFL history. Rodgers has thrown 527 touchdown passes in his NFL career, while Manning retired with 539, so Rodgers needs just 13 touchdown passes to move ahead of Manning. As long as Rodgers stays healthy, he should eclipse Manning’s career total early in the season. Rodgers would likely need to play two more seasons to move into second place, which is currently occupied by Drew Brees, with 571 career touchdown passes. And Tom Brady’s all-time record of 649 career touchdown passes appears insurmountable. Rodgers could also lose, a couple of of the career records he currently holds, however. At the moment, Rodgers is tied for the highest career passer rating in NFL history: Rodgers and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson both have a passer rating of 102.2. But last year Jackson’s passer rating was 103.8 and Rodgers’ was 94.8, so if they both play at the same level in 2026, Jackson will take first place in the record books all to himself. Rodgers could also fall behind Joe Burrow (101.1) and Patrick Mahomes (100.8), who are currently third and fourth in NFL history in career passer rating. The best career passer rating is a record Rodgers likely won’t hold by the end of the season. Another career record Rodgers could lose is the all-time lowest interception percentage. Rodgers has thrown 123 interceptions in 8,743 career passes, a career interception rate of 1.41 percent. Rodgers is just barely ahead of Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has a career interception rate of 1.42 percent, and not far ahead of Justin Herbert at 1.7 percent and Burrow and Mahomes at 1.8 percent. Ultimately, the numbers Rodgers puts up this season, when he’ll turn 43 years old, won’t matter a lot to his legacy. He’s an all-time great regardless of what he does this season. But his career numbers will change, and perhaps not entirely for the better
In February, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford became the oldest signal caller at age 37 to win MVP for the first time . Stafford will not only be working against the clock in the 2026 season, but also against a history of QBs in their late 30s this century who have declined after winning MVP. The Rams’ QB is tied for the third-oldest player to have ever won the award. Since 2000, only three other quarterbacks age 37 or older have won MVP: Player Age at Time of Year(s) Won Year(s) Won & Team Tom Brady 40 (oldest ever QB to win) 2017, Patriots Aaron Rodgers 37 and 38 Won back-to-back in 2020-21, Packers Peyton Manning 37 2013, Broncos Rich Gannon 37 2002, Raiders Each of these signal callers experienced a decline — only some were more noticeable than others. Brady was the gold standard for the “old guy MVP QB club,” as he remained his typical productive self in the season following his final MVP win. While his passing yardage, touchdown-to-interception ratio and passer rating all dipped slightly, he managed to guide a weaker-than-normal New England squad to a sixth Super Bowl win. After Rodgers’ two straight MVP wins, his interception rate soared from 0.8% to 2.2%, and he also had the worst passer rating of his career (91.1) until his 2024 campaign with the Jets . The Packers suffered a down year, finishing 8-9 before Rodgers was traded to New York in the offseason. Manning started hot in the encore to his historic 2013 campaign, starting the year with a 29-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio through Week 9 of 2014. Then, beginning with a blowout Week 10 loss to the Rams, he ended the season with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 10-8. Part of his second-half dip was due to injury concerns. Of anyone in that grouping, Gannon had the worst drop-off, which is unfair. Gannon suffered a shoulder injury after a dismal start to the 2003 season. His career was effectively ended in 2004 following a serious neck injury. Playing quality football in a player’s late 30s is tough enough, but it’s an even greater feat to maintain MVP-level quarterback play at that age. Stafford is working against history and Father Time as he works to get the Rams back to a Super Bowl before retirement. Los Angeles had better hope that once his play declines — and that’s inevitable for older QBs — it doesn’t dip significantly to hinder any chances of a deep playoff run
Thursday the NFL released the entire 2026 regular season schedule. As some might call it, last night was Super Bowl Thursday for the 32 social media departments. Here is every schedule release video, for your enjoyment. For the Cardinals release video, mascot Big Red gathered fellow mascots to unveil the schedule in a Zoom meeting. At least, that’s what it looked like: The Falcons tapped into the nostalgia over the classic “This is SportsCenter” commercials, featuring a lot of former quarterback — and current President of Football — Matt Ryan . The “get [bleeping] set” moment is worth your time: If you loved Wedding Crashers , then you’ll love the Ravens release video, featuring wide receiver Zay Flowers and Poe, the team mascot, crashing fans’ weddings: Imagine, if you will, a roundtable brainstorming session that ends on a giant chrysalis being the best idea, courtesy of Josh Allen . That is what the Bills came up with: When all else fails, just blow some stuff up. We see you, Panthers: Rome Odunze as Bob Ross? Inspired. The Bengals’ schedule release felt much like a high-dollar movie trailer, leaning in to cinematic effects while emphasizing the team’s journey the past few years. With a whole lot of Joe Burrow : Speaking of nostalgia, the Cleveland Browns put together a video inspired by the Street Fighter franchise: The Cowboys have three Tylers along the offensive line: Tyler Smith , Tyler Guyton , and Tyler Booker . So … meet the “Tyler Intelligence Agency:” Just Peyton Manning and his daughter flipping channels on TV while sitting on the couch. Nothing to see here … except for the commercials: Is Dan Campbell mad? Because Dan Campbell seems mad, and someone you do not want to give bulletin-board material to. As media members question the Lions through a voice over, Campbell simply puts the schedule on a bulletin board. “Strictly business:” Welcome to Kickin’ Curds Arcade, where Packers stars (in claymation form) play video games and handle challenges based on their 2026 opponenets: If you’ve ever wanted to see Brian Cushing getting increasingly madder and madder, the Houston Texans have a schedule release video for you: Simpsons video? Check. This release is filled with some incredible references to the long-running show as well as the Colts’ 2026 schedule. And yes, there is a couch gag. Did they cut his hair? DID THEY REALLY CUT HIS HAIR? Welcome to QVChiefs, the “Kingdom Schedule Release Shopping Network.” Here you can purchase products related to Chiefs’ opponents such as “rare Mile High Air,” an “Indestruct-Bill Tailgate Table,” and more. And kudos to Rob Riggle and Lisa Gilroy, they kinda crushed this: If you’ve ever thought about Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as an NFL version of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in Step Brothers well, you’re in luck! The Chargers social media department did it again with this Halo -themed video. The release is filled with references, inside jokes and yes, subtle nods to the Mike Vrabel/Dianna Russini saga: Like other teams, the Los Angeles Rams went retro with this video inspired by Napoleon Dynamite,“ with some tots to kick it off: “Mr. Ross wants to see you.” No, not Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, but musician Rick Ross: In this release video, Vikings kicker Will Reichard orders every dish on this “restaurant’s” menu: Culinary offerings based on each Minnesota opponent this season. Such as the “Wings Mafia,” Buffalo wings described as having “table-breaking flavor, lathered in ketchup and mustard:” If you ever wanted to see Patriots players such as cornerback Christian Gonzalez riding coasters at Six Flags New England and listing the schedule, you’re in luck. If that sounds like something you never wanted to see … we understand: If you are going with a weather theme, you need one thing. Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel. Box, checked: Three words: Winston Van Gogh. Honestly, when I first started watching this video on Thursday night [... truncated ...]
NFL teams released their creative schedule release videos on May 14, 2026, with various themes including animated sketches, spoofs, and video game integrations. Notable mentions include the Ravens' Zay Flowers crashing a wedding with tickets, Josh Allen in a pitch room, Rome Odunze painting the schedule, and a 'Simpsons'-themed video from Indianapolis
Long-time NFL assistant coach Tom Moore hasn’t retired , after all. The 87-year-old offensive guru will return to where it all started. Iowa. Via Scott Dochterman of The Athletic , Moore will serve as senior consultant to the head coach and offensive advisor at the school where Moore played quarterback from 1958 through 1960. He also started his coaching career there, from 1961 to 1962. Moore’s coaching career after leaving Iowa took him to Dayton, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, the New York Stars of the WFL, and Minnesota again before becoming an NFL assistant coach in 1977. He spent 13 seasons with the Steelers, four with the Vikings, three with the Lions, and one with the Saints. Moore arrived with the Colts in 1998, Peyton Manning’s rookie season. Moore served as Manning’s offensive coordinator for the first 11 years of his career, before taking on a senior position in 2009 and 2010. Moore then went to the Jets for a year, the Titans for a year, the Cardinals for five years (with head coach Bruce Arians). After taking 2018 off, Moore reunited with Arians in Tampa Bay, where Moore worked as an offensive consultant from 2019 through 2025. In all, Moore has won four Super Bowl rings — two with the Steelers (1978, 1979), one with the Colts (2006), and one with the Buccaneers (2020). Now, 64 years after leaving Iowa, his career is coming full circle
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