Aaron Rodgers has turned a new leaf since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. He stood up to the confidence that head coach Mike Tomlin showed in him throughout. That’s the reason the Steelers are standing at 3-1. And considering their recent performance in Dublin, it’s not long before they turn into legitimate contenders. So ‘impressed’ might be a small word to describe 2025 Rodgers. 

Since destroying the Vikings on international soil, Rodgers and his Steelers have overtaken all the spotlights. When FOX Sports lead commentator Tom Brady was asked about the Steelers’ current position thanks to the four-time NFL MVP, he spoke as if he was proven right. 

“Beyond Impressed,” said Brady on FOX NFL Sunday about Rodgers’ performance this season. “What we know about him on the field is he’s a surgical passer, he’s got a killer instinct, he’s hypercompetitive. And I think he’s brought all those things to Pittsburgh.” 

The future Hall of Famer also addressed the 41-year-old’s two-year failed experiment with the Jets that eventually forced him out this offseason. What truly matters, though, is what he’s doing on the field right now. That’s something Brady emphasized before as well. “When you get older, you’ve got to find other ways to succeed because you don’t have the same 2011 version of Aaron Rodgers,” he said. 

At 41, Rodgers isn’t exactly lighting up defense with deep passes as he’s keeping things short and safe. He’s averaging just 4.8 intended air yards, and his throws land an average of 4.7 yards short of the sticks—both the lowest marks in the league, according to Next Gen Stats. 

Still, that quick-pass approach has paid off. He’s sitting with an impressive 68.5% completion rate, ranked 11th in the league, and a passer rating of 102.5, which is ranked ninth overall. However, despite Rodgers’ scheme of plans working, not everyone is impressed. As Terry Bradshaw, the legendary quarterback who brought Pittsburgh all four of its Super Bowl Trophies and made them an NFL dynasty, considers Rodgers a ‘joke.’ 

Terry Bradshaw blasts Aaron Rodgers’ signing

Does the Steelers’ 3-1 standing suggest all’s well in paradise? No, and that’s what upsets the former quarterback, Bradshaw. Since the beginning, the 76-year-old has been against the whole idea of making Rodgers a man of black and gold. Earlier in an interview with local KABZ in Little Rock, Ark, he didn’t mince his words about Rodgers. 

“That’s a joke,” Bradshaw asserted when asked about Pittsburgh’s pursuit of making the 41-year-old the starting quarterback. “That is just, to me, is a joke. What are you gonna do? Bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there.” 

It happened in late May, when Rodgers was an unsigned free agent after being released by the New York Jets following the reign of Aaron Glenn. However, Bradshaw’s words went to vain, as the Steelers signed Rodgers in the second week of June, which the veteran called “best for my soul.”

Despite Bradshaw’s skepticism of Rodgers, Tomlin always believed in him. He previously dismissed the questions about why the team pursued the veteran by saying, “Read his resume.” The veteran, too, came with a different mindset in Pittsburgh: “I just want to be a servant leader here, pass on the knowledge I have, and try to fit in with the guys.” 

As the season progresses, Rodgers is standing true to his words and Tomlin’s confidence. Whether he’s actually regained his form will be seen in Week 6, when they’re set to face the Cleveland Browns.