Schefter Uses Lighthearted Analogy to Describe Rodgers’ Late-Career Mobility Decline
Adam Schefter likened Aaron Rodgers’ reduced mobility at age 42 to his aging family dog, emphasizing that while the quarterback can’t move like he once did, his competitive edge and passing talent remain intact.
- Glenn Catubig
- 4 min read
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers celebrated his 42nd birthday this week, coinciding with a candid and humorous comparison from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The longtime NFL insider used his latest podcast to draw a parallel between Rodgers’ late-career mobility and that of his elderly family dog, framing the analogy as a way to highlight both decline and resilience.
Schefter’s comments came during a broader discussion about aging players and how their roles evolve deep into their careers. While the comparison was light in tone, it underscored an unmistakable truth: Rodgers’ ability to move, extend plays and improvise has diminished over time, even as his passing skill and competitiveness remain sharp.
Rodgers, now in his first season with the Steelers, has kept the team afloat despite inconsistent results and a recent two-game losing streak. His statistical output reflects continued high-level quarterbacking, even if the dynamic mobility that once defined him has faded.
As Pittsburgh prepares for a critical divisional matchup, Schefter’s analogy adds a colorful layer to the ongoing conversation about Rodgers’ longevity—and how his career continues to evolve two decades into the league.
1. Schefter’s Dog Analogy Highlights Physical Decline
On The Adam Schefter Podcast, the veteran reporter explained that the comparison stemmed from watching his 16-year-old dog Bailey age. Once the fastest and most athletic of the family’s pets, Bailey now struggles to walk but still displays the same fierce spirit when challenged. Schefter described Bailey’s deteriorating physical condition: a loss of mobility, weakening legs and constant assistance needed just to get around. Yet despite those limitations, the dog’s instinct to growl, snarl and defend her space remains as strong as ever. In Schefter’s view, this mirrored Rodgers’ situation late in his career. The insider stressed that while Rodgers’ mobility has dipped sharply from his MVP years, his competitive fire and sharp instincts remain unchanged. Schefter summed it up by calling Rodgers “the Bailey of quarterbacks,” a playful but pointed reflection on how even the toughest athletes must adapt as age reshapes their physical capabilities.
2. Rodgers Still Delivering Despite Mobility Drop
Rodgers’ production through 12 games reflects a quarterback who continues to operate at a high level. He has completed 65.2% of his passes for 2,086 yards and 19 touchdowns, offset by seven interceptions. His passer rating sits at 95.4, signaling above-average efficiency despite an offense that has struggled with consistency. The Steelers sit at 6-6, hovering near the middle of the AFC playoff picture. While the team’s record doesn’t fully capture Rodgers’ impact, his presence has given Pittsburgh a stabilizing force in games that have required poise and experienced decision-making. However, analysts and coaches alike have noted a clear shift in Rodgers’ physical profile since his younger days. His trademark off-script brilliance—rolling out, resetting his feet, launching pinpoint throws on the move—appears less frequently. Even so, Rodgers’ arm talent and pre-snap intelligence keep the Steelers competitive, demonstrating that while athletic decline is inevitable, performance decline is not.
3. Steelers Face Pivotal Stretch as Rodgers Enters Late Career Stage
Pittsburgh now looks to rebound from a decisive 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills and reset its season in a critical AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. At 6-6, the Steelers are at a crossroads, needing a strong December push to remain in the playoff hunt. Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with Pittsburgh in the offseason, a contract laden with incentives that could elevate its total value to $19.5 million. His arrival marked a calculated gamble for a franchise seeking stability at quarterback. The comparison to Schefter’s family dog may have been delivered with humor, but it reflects a widely acknowledged reality: Rodgers is no longer the escape-artist passer who built a Hall of Fame résumé on mobility and improvisation. His game has shifted toward timing, anticipation and efficient pocket play. Whether that style can carry the Steelers through the final stretch of the season remains one of the more compelling questions surrounding the AFC playoff race.