Aaron Rodgers passes Peyton Manning for third all-time in career TD passes

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers surpassed Peyton Manning for third place on the NFL's all-time career touchdown passes list on Sunday. Rodgers threw his 580th career touchdown pass during the Steelers' game against the Indianapolis Colts, breaking a tie with Manning that had stood since the previous week.

Breaking the Record

The record-breaking pass was an 80-yard touchdown to running back Jaylen Warren in the first quarter. According to NFL.com, this score moved Rodgers past Manning, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. The two quarterbacks had been tied at 579 touchdown tosses, including postseason games, after Rodgers threw three touchdowns in a Week 4 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Rodgers continued his performance by throwing two additional touchdown passes to tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second and fourth quarters. These passes marked his 581st and 582nd career touchdowns. NBC Sports reported that Rodgers is now the second quarterback in Steelers history to throw for three or more touchdowns in three consecutive games, joining Terry Bradshaw.

Career Context and Rankings

With 582 career touchdown passes, Rodgers now trails only Tom Brady, who has 737, and Drew Brees, who has 608. Rodgers, who is 42 years old, has previously stated that he will retire at the end of the season. NFL.com notes that he is likely to finish his career in third place on the all-time list.

Rodgers' career achievements include four AP NFL Most Valuable Player awards, all earned during his 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He also won a Super Bowl, was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, and earned four All-Pro first-team honors while with the Packers. He currently ranks fifth all-time in completions and passing yards.

Why it matters

Rodgers' achievement cements his legacy as one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. By surpassing Manning, a 2021 Hall of Fame inductee, Rodgers moves into sole possession of third place on the career touchdown list. His performance against the Colts highlights his continued effectiveness at age 42, as he approaches the end of his announced final season.

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Sources

• nfl.com: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers breaks tie with Peyton Manning for third all time in career TD passes | Latest NFL News, Analysis & Updates | NFL.com
• nbcsports.com: Aaron Rodgers joins Terry Bradshaw in team history with third three-TD game in a row - NBC Sports

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.