In the brutal, week-to-week grind of the NFL, consistency at the quarterback position is the ultimate currency. In the AFC North for the 2025 season, that currency has become astonishingly rare. Amid a landscape of fallen stars and emergency replacements, one man stands not only upright but in sublime command: 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ QB1 and the division’s last man standing from opening day.
While the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens scramble to piece together their offensive identities, Rodgers is conducting a masterclass in longevity, precision, and leadership. His legacy reminds the entire league that his twilight years are still brighter than most players’ primes.
41-Year-Old Aaron Rodgers: A Fountain of Youth in the Steel City
When the Steelers acquired Rodgers in a blockbuster offseason trade, critics wondered if they were getting a diminished legend. Two years into his Pittsburgh tenure, Rodgers has silenced every doubter with a start to the 2025 season that can only be described as fabulous. Through the first four games, Rodgers isn’t just managing the offense. But he’s orchestrating it at an MVP level. Adam Schefter of ESPN also reported on Oct. 5, the 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, whose Steelers are on a bye this weekend, is the only AFC North quarterback who started in Week 1 who hasn’t been injured or benched.
The former Packers superstar leads the AFC with 786 passing yards and is tied for the league lead with eight touchdown passes. Most impressively, in an era of high-volume passing, his efficiency is otherworldly. He has thrown just three interceptions, resulting in a pristine 102.6 passer rating. His completion percentage sits at a crisp 68.5%. And he has already engineered two fourth-quarter comeback victories. It also includes a stunning Week 1 performance against the Jets, where he threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
More impressive than the stats is the palpable aura of control. The pre-snap adjustments, the audibles at the line, the uncanny ability to avoid the pass rush… It’s all there. For Rodgers, this season isn’t about proving he can still play. But it’s about proving he can still be the best. He is playing with the joy of a rookie and the wisdom of a two-decade veteran, a combination that has the Steelers’ offense humming and the team positioned as early Super Bowl contenders.
Rodgers’ Legacy Cemented in Black and Gold
Rodgers’ journey in Pittsburgh is adding a fascinating, late-career chapter to a first-ballot Hall of Fame legacy. Already a Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP, his success with the Steelers is a testament to his transcendent talent and adaptability. His current statistical pace would rank among the finest seasons of his storied career, let alone for a quarterback over 40. No doubt, he has embraced the blue-collar identity of the city and its franchise, morphing from the Green Bay icon into the unquestioned leader of a championship-hungry Pittsburgh team.
This chapter isn’t just about adding more trophies to his case; it’s about influence. He has become a mentor to the entire roster and a living textbook for young players on how to prepare, compete, and win at the highest level. His legacy was already secure, but his renaissance in Pittsburgh is elevating it to a near-mythical status. But there is a devastating reality around him in the AFC North.
The Wreckage Around the Steelers: AFC North QB Carnage
The quarterback carnage that has decimated the rest of the AFC North highlights Rodgers’ stability even more. Injuries have sidelined the three other Week 1 starters, creating chaos as the division enters a critical Week 5.
The Cincinnati Bengals Marching into the Season without Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow Injury Update: The Bengals have suffered another major setback, as star quarterback Joe Burrow is sidelined with a turf toe injury in his left foot, sustained during Week 2 against Jacksonville.
Tests revealed ligament damage, and doctors performed surgery on Burrow before the team placed him on injured reserve, expecting his recovery to take at least three months.
It’s another frustrating chapter in a career that’s already seen its share of injury interruptions. In his absence, Jake Browning steps back into the starting role, familiar territory after his solid run in 2023.
While the Bengals have publicly backed Browning’s ability to lead, they plan to rely more on the ground game and controlled possessions as they navigate life without their franchise cornerstone.
Cleveland Browns’ New Era Starts with Dillon Gabriel, Benching Joe Flacco
The 40-year-old veteran QB Joe Flacco suffered through tough times after multiple losses and poor performance.
Joe Flacco’s 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns has been a tough watch. The veteran quarterback, once seen as a steadying presence, has struggled badly. He has thrown for just 815 yards with a 58.1% completion rate, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. His 60.3 passer rating and low QBR place him near the bottom of the league.
In one of his toughest outings, a loss to Detroit, Flacco went 16-of-34 for 184 yards and tossed two interceptions. It underscored the Browns’ offensive stagnation. For a team hoping his experience could bring consistency, his performances have instead raised questions about whether Cleveland needs to move on at quarterback.
So, in a surprising turn, the Browns will start rookie Dillon Gabriel, elevating him over the more experienced Flacco for what the team calls a spark. This indicates a potential look toward the future.
Ravens Turn to Cooper Rush After Lamar Jackson’s Knee Injury
Lamar Jackson is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, suffered on a designed run during the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ Week 4 loss.
Fortunately, tests confirmed there’s no ACL damage. However, the sprain is significant enough to sideline the former MVP for an estimated 3–4 weeks. It’s a tough setback for a player whose game depends so much on mobility and explosiveness.
In Jackson’s absence, veteran backup Cooper Rush will step in as the starter. The former Cowboys quarterback brings composure and a deep familiarity with pro-style systems, and he must keep Baltimore’s offense afloat through a critical stretch without its leader.
As the AFC North navigates this unprecedented wave of quarterback injuries, one team stands firmly on solid ground. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with the ageless Aaron Rodgers under center, don’t have to worry about backups or recovery timelines. Rodgers defies his age with an impressive stat line and dominates the conference with unmatched command of the game, making him the Steelers’ ultimate weapon. In a division of chaos, his right arm is the eye of the storm.
