Why does Aaron Rodgers feel good at 42? ‘I kind of Benjamin Buttoned this thing’

The Pittsburgh Steelers won their third straight game with a 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Aaron Rodgers now has the Steelers on the brink of the playoffs thanks to a strong month of December. Rodgers has actually improved over the course of the year. And the 42-year-old quarterback explained how he’s been able to perform at such a high level in his 21st NFL season.

“I’d say probably the last 5-6 years I kind of Benjamin Buttoned this thing compared to some of the other guys… For whatever reason, I feel like I get stronger as the season goes on,” Rodgers said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

“I think part of that is the cold weather. I always say that the cold weather slows everybody else but me down. So I’m going my normal speed but it’s slightly faster than the other guys who are slowed down by the field or by the cold or whatever,” Rodgers added.

Aaron Rodgers heats up as the weather gets cold

The Steelers boosted their playoff odds by outlasting the Lions last Sunday. The win gave Pittsburgh a two-game lead in the AFC North. The team can now clinch the division with a victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

After two forgettable years with the New York Jets, Rodgers has enjoyed a strong debut with the Steelers. The future Hall of Famer is in the midst of his best season since 2021, when he won his fourth MVP Award.

While Rodgers isn’t in the MVP conversation in 2025, he has an opportunity to reach the playoffs for the first time in four years. And Mike Tomlin believes the 10-time Pro Bowler gives the Steelers an advantage in must-win December games.

Rodgers is steadily moving up the all-time lists. He passed Peyton Manning’s career mark for multi-touchdown games in Week 15. Rodgers is now third all-time with 166 multiple touchdown contests.

Of course, the Steelers will have to clinch the division without their top wideout. DK Metcalf was suspended for the final two games of the season after an altercation with a fan in Detroit. Losing Metcalf will hurt the Steelers. But a win over the Browns on Sunday or over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 will send Pittsburgh to the postseason.

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