How the Chargers Are Preparing for Veteran QB Aaron Rodgers

Nov 06, 2025 at 04:28 PM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

There's not a more experienced quarterback the Chargers will face this year than this Aaron Rodgers on Sunday in primetime.

The surefire Hall of Fame quarterback has continued to do what he's done his whole career — win — and has led the Steelers to a 5-3 record and current first place standing in the AFC North.

And it's not like he's doing anything different now at 41 years-old.

"He's still Aaron Rodgers," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said.

Rodgers has enjoyed a very efficient season thus far, throwing for 1,692 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 68.7 percent completion percentage, which is his personal best since 2021.

His 103.1 quarterback rating also ranks eighth among all quarterbacks, as he is one of four quarterbacks with a passer rating of 95 or higher in at least seven games.

The 41-year-old has mixed in well with the Pittsburgh brand of football in his 21^st season in the NFL.

"Nothing but respect. To do it at the highest level, [an] argument that it's the highest," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Tremendous competitor. He has a great desire to win. Does anything and everything for his team to win."

Minter added: "He's obviously seen every type of coverage, every type of blitz imaginable. He manages their offense very well. They really have a combination of Steeler-brand identity, run game, big personnels and then some of the stuff he's always done, spread, spread you out, look for matchups, quick game, those type of things."

Perhaps what has stood out the most about Rodgers this season has been how he's been able to get the ball out quickly and be effective.

He's averaging an average depth of target of 6.2 yards, which is the lowest this year among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks. His time to throw is 2.57 seconds, which is the second-lowest mark across the league.

Even then, he's connecting with the deep ball, as his six touchdown passes on attempts of 20-plus yards are tied for the third-most in the NFL.

"He's still one of the best decision makers there is in football," cornerback Donte Jackson said. "Regardless of position, he just doesn't make bad decisions with the ball and he's still one of the most accurate QBs in the league. He has a way of getting those guys going."

Rodgers has found a quick connection with wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who has the most receiving yards on the team with 467, more than double the second leading receiver.

But he continues to do the things that made him an All-Pro, and it's led the Steelers to success.

"He's got a good skill set of players and then he's one of the best of all time dishing it out and getting the ball where it needs to go," Rodgers. "Doesn't take a lot of sacks because he takes rid of the ball quick. Great opportunity for us, great challenge.

"A Hall of Famer, first ballot Hall of Famer that we'll get a chance to go against," Minter said. "Something we're excited about and we certainly have a ton of respect for him."

For players like Khalil Mack, he's seen Rodgers a number of times in his career.

Mack saw Rodgers a handful of times during his time in the NFC North and has tallied 5.5 career sacks against the quarterback.

Now years later, the fellow future Hall of Famer is fired up to get another opportunity to face one of the best.

"Playing against Aaron, he's the ultimate competitor," Mack said. "He's going to do whatever he can to put his team in the best position to win.

"Playing against guys like that always look forward to it because you're going against some of the greats," Mack added. "These are the games you're going to look back on when you hang them up."