Ben Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players ever to wear the black and gold for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On a recent episode of his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback was asked his take on a popular debate between two all-time quarterback talents, Patrick Mahomes and new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
While the question is a tough one, Roethlisberger didn’t hesitate in picking a side.
Ben Roethlisberger Picks Prime Aaron Rodgers Over Current Patrick Mahomes in Popular Debate
“I would take Aaron in his prime,” Roethlisberger said. “Aaron Rodgers, in his prime, was one of the top few to ever do it.”
Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and a 10-time Pro Bowler. He is entering his 21st season in the NFL and his first with the Steelers. Peyton Manning is the only player with more NFL MVP awards, five, than Rodgers has in his career.
Rodgers is one of five players in NFL history with 500 career passing touchdowns. He is also seventh all-time in passing yards and can move into fifth place this season, passing Phillip Rivers and Roethlisberger. Rodgers trails Roethlisberger by only 1,136 yards.
Meanwhile, Mahomes is already a two-time NFL MVP and is entering only his ninth season in the NFL. While he trails Rodgers in all statistical categories, he is 12 years younger and has time to make up for that.
Where Mahomes does have the advantage is in the Super Bowl. Mahomes has made the Super Bowl five times in seven years as a starting quarterback, winning three of them and being named the Super Bowl MVP in each of those wins.
Rodgers, on the other hand, has only been to one Super Bowl in his career. He and the Green Bay Packers defeated Roethlisberger and the Steelers for his lone Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XLV. In that game, Rodgers was named the Super Bowl MVP after completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
However, while Roethlisberger selected Rodgers in the debate, he clarified that the question was Rodgers in his prime versus Mahomes currently.
“We’re talking about Patrick right now,” Roethlisberger said. “If we’re talking prime and prime, I’m going to have to really think hard on that.”
While Mahomes and the Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl each of the last three years and won two of them, Mahomes has had his two worst statistical seasons the last two years, giving credence to Roethlisberger’s point about this not being the prime of Mahomes’ career.
By the end of their careers, the argument of who will go down as the better all-time quarterback will surely be an interesting one. Mahomes already has more Lombardi trophies than Rodgers, but he still has a long way to go to catch him in MVPs and statistical totals.
Both quarterbacks will be names to watch during the 2025 NFL season as Rodgers prepares for what could be his last ride and Mahomes looks to return to the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive season.