Aaron Rodgers made huge NFL news this week by passing Peyton Manning on the all-time passing list. The veteran quarterback threw another score to take sole possession of third place in career touchdown passes. It marks a massive milestone in football history.
Rodgers broke the tie with Manning while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fans watching the game saw history happen right in front of them. It cements his place among the greatest passers to ever play the sport.
Reaching this spot takes years of steady play at the highest level. You do not get here by accident. You can find more daily football updates as we track the biggest records across the league this season.
How Aaron Rodgers Made NFL History
Before this game, Rodgers and Manning shared third place on the list. Both had reached historic heights, but Rodgers needed just one more score to stand alone. When he threw the pass, the record book changed for good.
Think about how hard it is to throw that many scoring passes. Quarterbacks take hits on every single play. They battle bad weather, tough defenses, and painful injuries. Rodgers has managed to stay sharp across two decades in the league.
You can check the full list of numbers on the Pro Football Reference database to see how rare this feat really is. Passing someone like Manning is not something you see every week. Manning held the top spot himself years ago before other greats passed him.
Rodgers did this while wearing a Pittsburgh uniform. Seeing him lead the Steelers offense after his long career in Green Bay and New York still feels fresh. Yet his arm still works the same magic when his team needs points on the board.
Who Aaron Rodgers Has Chased in the Record Books
The top of the touchdown list features true legends of the game. Peyton Manning set the standard for modern quarterbacks during his runs with Indianapolis and Denver. Breaking his mark shows the elite company Rodgers keeps.
Only two men now sit ahead of Rodgers on the all-time touchdown list: Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Both players set numbers that seemed unreachable for years. Brady stands alone at the very top, while Brees holds second place after his legendary run in New Orleans.
Can Rodgers catch them? That depends on how long he decides to stay on the field. You can read our report on Tyler Smith Returns to Dallas Cowboys Practice to see how other teams adjust their rosters around key stars. Every team fights to keep their lines strong enough to protect their passers.
Fans who want to study past league achievements can review details on the Pro Football Hall of Fame site. Rodgers will walk into Canton on his first try whenever he decides to hang up his cleats.
Why Does This Record Matter for the Steelers?
Pittsburgh brought in Rodgers to win games right now. The team wanted a steady leader who knows how to finish drives in the red zone. Having a player hit a historic career mark while leading the offense brings huge energy to the whole locker room.
Young players on the team get to share the huddle with a living legend. Wide receivers know that every ball coming their way could be part of an all-time highlight reel. That kind of presence gives an entire roster extra confidence on game day.
The race for playoff seeding in the AFC is always tight. Every touchdown pass matters for the division standings as well as the record books. You can follow general sports stories to keep track of how the standings look each week.
For more official league details and weekly matchup reports, visit NFL.com during game weeks. The Steelers need this high level of play to continue if they want to make a deep run into January.
What Are the Next Milestones for Aaron Rodgers?
What record is left for Rodgers to chase before he retires? He is already near the top in career passing yards, completions, and fourth-quarter comebacks. Every touchdown he throws from here on out creates distance between him and Manning.
Staying healthy remains the main key for any veteran quarterback. One hit can end a drive or even a season. Offensive line protection matters just as much as quarterback skill, which is why team updates like the one on Tyler Smith Returns to Dallas Cowboys Practice matter so much to football fans everywhere.
If you love football history, you can read more about classic games on ESPN to compare eras. The way rules protect quarterbacks today differs from the past, but Rodgers played through several eras to build this resume.
He started his career holding a clipboard on the bench. He worked his way into a starting role, won MVP awards, and took home a championship ring. Now he stands in third place all on his own.
How many more touchdown passes do you think Rodgers will throw before he calls it a career? Share your thoughts with a fellow fan, because we are watching football history happen in real time.