PFF slots Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers at No. 22 on its 2026 quarterback list

Aaron Rodgers is entering the 2026 season with a different kind of storyline. After Pittsburgh’s 2025 run ended with an early playoff exit, PFF’s quarterback rankings have the Steelers veteran rated at No. 22 in the NFL, behind a large group of quarterbacks considered to be closer to the league’s top tier.

PFF’s placement is tied to how Rodgers graded in 2025 and how his game shifted. According to PFF analysis summarized by Yahoo Sports, Rodgers’ PFF overall grade in 2025 was 68.0, the lowest mark of his career, and his 38.1 passing grade “under pressure” ranked sixth-worst among qualifying quarterbacks. The same write-up points to an increasingly conservative passing profile, with Rodgers’ average depth of target listed at 6.6 yards, a career low and fourth-lowest in the league.

The ranking also reflects a postseason performance that did not match the Steelers’ broader success. Pittsburgh lost to the Houston Texans 30-6 in the wild-card round. Rodgers’ stat line in that game, as reported by Yahoo Sports, was 17 of 33 for 146 yards with an interception and a QBR of 14.9.

In regular season terms, Rodgers’ 2025 output still included meaningful production and efficiency at points of the offense. Yahoo Sports notes that during the year he threw 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions and helped deliver Pittsburgh its first AFC North title since 2020, finishing 10-7. Even with those positive results, PFF’s view suggests that the “how” matters as much as the “how many,” especially when a quarterback’s downfield aggressiveness changes.

PFF’s quarterback rankings are built from grades and efficiency-based measures across multiple seasons rather than relying on a single standout game. PFF says its 2026 list uses three-season performance as a foundation, with PFF passing grade, Wins Above Replacement, and EPA per dropback, then adds context through advanced passing splits, accuracy and clutch performance, and other proprietary metrics.

Looking ahead, PFF expects Pittsburgh’s supporting cast to help Rodgers’ passing game function with more opportunities down the field. Yahoo Sports reports that the Steelers added wide receiver Michael Pittman and defensive piece Germie Bernard this offseason via trade and the NFL Draft, respectively, and that those additions should help “open the passing game,” which could support a higher success rate through the air.

Still, the No. 22 ranking sets a clear bar for what the Steelers need from 2026. PFF’s evaluation implies that Rodgers’ best days are behind him, and that his 2025 role, cadence, and decision-making will likely be examined closely again once the season begins. The immediate watch item is whether Pittsburgh can translate its offensive additions and scheme into improved pressure performance and more effective throw depth, two areas PFF flags as concerns.