Aaron Rodgers hasn’t even taken a regular-season snap for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the expectations are already through the roof. After signing a one-year, $13.65 million deal and announcing that 2025 will likely be his final NFL season, the 41-year-old quarterback is facing pressure from all angles, including from former players.
One of the loudest voices has been former NFL linebacker and current FS1 analyst Emmanuel Acho, who says Rodgers’ final season can only be considered a success if it ends in one of two ways: A Super Bowl ring or a 5,000-yard passing season.
Emmanuel Acho Says It’s ‘Championship or Bust’ for Aaron Rodgers and Steelers
Speaking on “The Facility”, Acho didn’t mince words when laying out what he believes Rodgers needs to accomplish in his final year.
“It’s doing what Ray Lewis, John Elway and Peyton Manning did in their last year… That’s what category Aaron is in,” Acho said, referencing three NFL legends who walked away from the game after winning it all.
.@EmmanuelAcho says it’s championship or bust for Aaron Rodgers & the Steelers 👀
“It’s doing what Ray Lewis, John Elway and Peyton Manning did in their last year…That’s what category Aaron is in.” pic.twitter.com/Kv20WB1iRm
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) June 25, 2025
Acho added that if Rodgers doesn’t win a championship, then the only other acceptable outcome would be something “unheralded,” like throwing for 5,000 yards in a season, a feat only nine quarterbacks in NFL history have achieved.
Why 5,000 Yards Is a Massive Ask for Rodgers at Age 41
To put it bluntly, 5,000 passing yards at Rodgers’ age would be historic. Only Tom Brady has ever hit that mark after turning 40, doing so when he was 44. Rodgers has never thrown for 5,000 yards in a single season, even during his prime with the Green Bay Packers.
In fact, his career high came in 2011, when he threw for 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns en route to winning NFL MVP honors.
Expecting him to suddenly eclipse that number in a new system, with a new team, at 41 years old is a tall order, even for someone as talented and experienced as Rodgers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Roster Gives Rodgers a Fighting Chance
Still, there’s reason for optimism in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have built a roster that’s quietly one of the most balanced in the AFC.
Rodgers will have DK Metcalf as his go-to target, along with Pat Friermuth at tight end and a young, improving offensive line. The run game, led by Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson, should help take pressure off of Rodgers to carry the offense every week.
Defensively, Pittsburgh remains stout with T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward anchoring a unit that finished in the top 10 in points allowed last season.
If Rodgers can stay healthy, then this team has the pieces and the potential to make a legitimate playoff run in 2025.
Rodgers’ Legacy on the Line in Final NFL Season With Steelers
Rodgers already has a Hall of Fame resume: Four MVPs, a Super Bowl title, and some of the best efficiency numbers in NFL history. But for many, including Acho, his legacy still feels incomplete.
Whether fair or not, the narrative around Rodgers has often centered on missed opportunities in the postseason. A second ring, or a record-setting final season, would go a long way in silencing those critics.
If Acho’s bar is the one being used, then Rodgers has no choice but to aim for greatness one last time.
