Rodgers continues to climb the NFL’s ladder of all-time quarterbacks
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It took two weeks for Aaron Rodgers to make history during the 2021 season. During the Packers“http://www.cbssports.com/”Monday Night Football” matchup against the Lions, Rodgers passed Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway for 10th all time on the league’s career passing list. Rodgers entered the game with 51,378 career passing yards, 97 yards behind Elway’s career tally. Rodgers surpassed Elway early in the third quarter when he connected on a 50-yarder with Davante Adams.
Rogers’ career passing total is even more impressive given that he attempted just 59 passes during his first three seasons while serving as Brett Favre’s backup. Rodgers quickly made up for lost time, as he threw for more than 4,000 yards during his first season as Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2008. Rodgers has since eclipsed 4,000 yards eight more times during his career. A year after winning Super Bowl MVP, Rodgers threw for a career-high 4,643 yards en route to winning his first MVP award. Last season, Rodgers led the league in completion percentage and touchdown passes while also throwing for 4,299 yards in winning league MVP honors for a third time.
Packers fans are familiar with the quarterback Rodgers just passed on the all-time list. A 16-year starter for the Broncos, Elway helped lead Denver to an historic upset over Favre and the defending champion Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. While he threw for 124 yards, Elway ran for a score while also making his legendary “helicopter” run that set up running back Terrell Davis’ second of three touchdown runs. With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Elway’s 23-yard completion to fullback Howard Griffith set up Davis’ game-winning score. The Broncos’ win was the AFC’s first Super Bowl victory over an NFC team in 13 years. Favre, who won his third consecutive league MVP that season, threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort.
Elway and Favre were part of the NFL‘s 100th anniversary all-time team that was honored on the field before Super Bowl LIV. Rodgers will likely join Elway, Favre, and the rest of the NFL’s all-time quarterbacks when the league unveils its next all-time team sometime in the next quarter-century.
