It didn't take long for Pittsburgh Steelers fans to come around to the idea of Aaron Rodgers being under center for the 2025 season. While many were sceptical of the team's decision to roll with the 41-year-old quarterback in a season that must end in playoff success, all fears seemed to disappear when Rodgers took the field for his first training camp practice.
Thousands of Steelers fans weathered the 90-degree heat at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, to witness Rodgers take the training camp practice field for the first time... and the veteran QB didn't disappoint.
The first thing that stood out was Rodgers' impressive arm talent. Fans and media members raved about the zip and velocity the veteran still has on the football, and a few clips captured the arm talent Rodgers still has to work with, like this one from The Athletic's Mike DeFabo.
First look at Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers during his first training camp practice pic.twitter.com/Nm5TSsC798
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 24, 2025
And just like that, all eyes are on the starting quarterback. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with photos and videos of Rodgers from his first Steelers training camp practice.
Though a video surfaced of Rodgers being picked off on his first pass in 11-on-11s, that isn't stopping fans from getting behind the veteran.
Aaron Rodgers is already showing Pittsburgh Steelers fans he still has what it takes
It's training camp; we're allowed to get excited about our favorite team finally taking the practice field after a one-and-done postseason that ended with a Wild Card loss back in January. While we need to pump the brakes a bit on Rodgers' performance (this is practice in shorts, after all), it's clear Rodgers still has the tools to get the job done.
Aaron Rodgers is unlike most 40-plus-year-old quarterbacks we've ever seen in that he still has a live arm. Just like he always has, Rodgers generates lower-body power with a whip-like release to create ideal zip and velocity on the football. Peyton Manning even gave Rodgers' arm talent a glowing endorsement this spring. In a game where tight-window throws are necessary every game, this can get the Steelers out of some jams.
To be fair, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both had strong arms, but Wilson was reluctant to target the middle of the field, while Fields often struggled with touch and accuracy. Rodgers' skill set, in terms of arm talent, is as good as anyone could expect.
I'm sure Rodgers will have his down moments at Steelers training camp this year. But at the end of the day, the most important thing to consider is that he still has the traits and arm talent to get the job done in his old age.
Aaron Rodgers is long removed from his last MVP season, but after seeing the natural talent he still has to work with, nobody should be surprised if he proves to be the best quarterback option since late-career Ben Roethlisberger (which is a low bar to clear).