EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEntering his 22nd NFL season -- or as Aaron Rodgers says, "his last rodeo" -- the 42-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is on the cusp of joining several exclusive clubs as he moves up the ranks in the league record books.In 2025, he passed former teammate Brett Favre to take sole possession of fourth place in career touchdown passes thrown with his 509th TD pass in the Week 3 win against the New England Patriots."Every now and then I made some special throws that led to touchdowns, but I've been playing a long time, and it's a longevity thing," Rodgers said before passing Favre's mark last season. "I'm proud of it, but not a big deal."Rodgers also went on to supplant Ben Roethlisberger for fifth in all-time passing yards in the second quarter of the Thursday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 16, 2025.That Rodgers is still chasing records in 2026 is somewhat of a surprise after he suggested at times during the 2025 season that he was nearing the end of his career."It's the twilight of my career," he said after beating the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland on Oct. 5, 2025. "I used to say five, six, seven years ago, I was on the back nine. But I'm teeing off on 18 right now."In that win, Rodgers made two more noteworthy entries into the record books: most completions of 50-plus yards and second quarterback in NFL history to throw 60 or more touchdown passes against multiple franchises.But now, Rodgers is closing in on his final opportunities to add to that ever-growing list of historic accomplishments.Maybe it took him a couple of shots to reach the green, or maybe he took his time finding his shot on the fairway. Either way, the 18th hole is in sight, and Rodgers is crouched in front of his ball, squaring up the putt."I thought last year might be it," Rodgers said on the first day of training camp. "And then Mike [McCarthy] got hired. And I talked to the wife, and she said you can do one more year. I said, 'We'll see if it works out.' And it kind of all came together."Among the milestones in reach for Rodgers are becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to appear in 300 games, joining Tom Brady (383), Favre (326) and Drew Brees (305), throwing the third-most touchdown passes in NFL history and having the second-most regular-season games with multiple touchdown passes. He also needs 3,726 yards to become the fifth player to reach 70,000 passing yards.This season, we're chronicling Rodgers' individual milestones week by week as he rides his last rodeo and lines up his putt on the 18th green, beginning with Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Follow along here for the weekly installments.Preseason: 0 for 0, 0 yards, 0 interceptions, 0 sacks, 0 rushesDespite early hints that Rodgers would take the field during the Steelers' first preseason under McCarthy, the veteran quarterback instead spent two games on the sideline and one on his couch at home. With Rodgers' top two receivers in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. sidelined with preseason injuries, McCarthy opted to also keep his quarterback under wraps.Rodgers isn't a stranger to sitting out the preseason in recent years. He didn't play in any preseason games for the Steelers in 2025, nor for the New York Jets in 2024 following his season-ending left Achilles tear in Week 1 of the 2023 season.Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)Rodgers won't eclipse any milestones in Week 1 against the Falcons, but he can make headway in game appearances (287), touchdown passes (572), regular-season games with a touchdown pass (231), regular-season games with multiple touchdown passes (166) and games with at least three touchdown passes (95).While the Falcons' pass rush is hampered by James Pearce Jr.'s eight-game suspension and Jalon Walker's ACL tear, the secondary could be a challenge for Rodgers and the Steelers' new-look offense. Led by All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and up-and-coming safety Xavier Watts, who had five interceptions in his rookie campaign, Jeff Ulbrich's unit will be a big Week 1 test for Rodgers and McCarthy's passing attack. Ulbrich should know Rodgers well considering he took over as interim coach in the QB's final year with the Jets after Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start.Steelers' remaining 2026 scheduleWeek 2: at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 4: at Cleveland Browns (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 7: at New Orleans Saints in Paris (9:30 a.m. ET, NFLN)Week 8: vs.Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 9: ByeWeek 10: at Cincinnati Bengals (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)Week 13: vs. Houston Texans (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers (TBD)Week 17: at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)Week 18: at Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
