In a match that promises to be historic, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are preparing to star in a veteran duel on the gridiron. This Thursday, in the matchup between the Steelers and the Bengals, both quarterbacks, surpassing the age of 40, will become the second pair of quarterbacks in NFL history to start a regular season or playoff game, according to collected data.
A Generational Duel
The anticipation grows as two American football legends face off. Rodgers, with his characteristic wit, was greeted with jokes by his teammate Cameron Heyward, who highlighted the longevity of the quarterbacks in the game. Rodgers, with a smile, responded to Heyward’s remarks, anticipating a clash full of excitement and experience.Rodgers, who has been Flacco’s companion in charitable events, expressed his admiration for Flacco’s career and the joy of sharing the field with him. Both players, with an outstanding career, have demonstrated their ability to adapt and remain relevant in the sport. The only precedent for this type of matchup was between Tom Brady and Drew Brees, who faced each other three times during the 2020 season. Rodgers suggests that these types of duels could become more common in the future, thanks to players’ investment in taking care of their bodies. Consistency is key to staying in the elite for so long, according to Rodgers. Flacco, selected in the 2008 draft, like Rodgers, has had a notable career. Flacco highlighted the uniqueness of the matchup, emphasizing the longevity of both in the league. The Steelers’ defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, praised Flacco’s tenacity, recalling his performance in the 2024 game against the Colts. Austin highlighted Flacco’s strong mentality and his ability to overcome adversity. “It takes a change of scenery to do what you’re doing and do it better,” Austin commented.I think it’s great for all the veterans. When I watch other sports, I tend to root for the veterans to win championships.
Aaron Rodgers
