“Age-41 NFL Quarterback Seeks Opportunity to Make History”
As Aaron Rodgers, aged 41, looks to continue his career as an NFL quarterback in 2025, he faces a challenging market for players of his age. After the New York Jets decided to part ways with him following two lackluster seasons, Rodgers finds himself in a unique position. While most quarterbacks do not play well into their 40s, some legends of the game have defied age and delivered remarkable performances in their later years. What lies ahead for Rodgers in terms of touchdowns, victories, and proving doubters wrong?
Few quarterbacks continue playing past their late 30s, with many retiring in their late 30s such as Matt Ryan (37), John Elway, Eli Manning, and Dan Marino (38), or Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger (39). Rodgers defying the odds by staying relevant at his age is a notable achievement in itself. But how much longer can he continue? Let’s explore the careers of other notable quarterbacks who played into their 40s to glean insights.
George Blanda (Career: 1949-1975)
At age 41, Blanda started one game, passing for 522 yards, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs. His career saw him transition from quarterback to kicker and back again. Despite being less involved as a quarterback in his 40s, Blanda enjoyed success and even finished second in MVP voting at age 43 after leading remarkable comebacks.
Tom Brady (Career: 2000-2022)
In his age-41 season, Brady put up impressive numbers with 4,355 yards passing, 29 TDs, and 11 INTs, culminating in a Super Bowl win for New England. Brady’s continued success beyond his 40s and multiple championships make him a true outlier in the league.
Drew Brees (Career: 2001-2020)
Brees retired at age 41 after a decline in performance relative to his contract. Despite a storied career and accolades, including being named to the Pro Bowl and MVP runner-up, Brees’ effectiveness waned in his final season.
Steve DeBerg (Career: 1978-1998)
DeBerg retired at age 39 before briefly returning at 44 to play for the Falcons, showcasing his versatility and longevity in the league.
Brett Favre (Career: 1991-2010)
Favre, like Brees, saw a decline in performance in his age-41 season before retiring. His career path, moving between teams like the Packers, Jets, and Vikings, could serve as a blueprint for Rodgers.
Doug Flutie (Career: 1968-2005)
Flutie’s productive age-41 season with the San Diego Chargers marked his final notable year in the league, showcasing that quarterbacks can still contribute effectively
Two more years passed for the Chargers and Patriots, yet they never quite made a significant impact in the game again. Warren Moon, whose career spanned from 1984 to 2000, had a notable age-41 season where he participated in 15 games, threw for 3,678 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Moon’s performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and he posted respectable numbers while playing for the Seahawks. Although he continued to play for three additional seasons, only his age-42 season stood out as more than just brief appearances. Eventually, Father Time caught up with Moon around this time.
Vinny Testaverde, who played from 1987 to 2007, also had an interesting age-41 season. In this season, he played in all 16 games, passed for 3,532 yards, threw 17 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions while with the Cowboys. This turned out to be Testaverde’s final season as a dependable starter. Following this, he went on to play for three more seasons with three different teams – the Jets, Patriots, and Panthers – but he never played in more than seven games per year. Despite being relatively productive in his age-41 season, Testaverde faced a sharp decline in performance thereafter.
Considering these examples, it is apparent that the odds of Aaron Rodgers finding success at the age of 41 are not overwhelmingly high, but they’re not non-existent either. He would simply need to model his approach after the greatest quarterback of all time. It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?
