Aaron Rodgers Responds to Troy Aikman’s Harsh ‘Too Old, Too Lucky’ Comment After Steelers’ Collapse vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh, PA – October 24, 2025

The atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium was still heavy days after the Steelers’ heartbreaking 33–31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals — a game that slipped away in the final seconds despite a vintage performance from Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a 31–30 lead with just two minutes remaining, before the defense surrendered a late field goal that sealed the defeat.

But while fans applauded Rodgers’ grit and composure, not everyone saw it that way.
During ESPN’s Monday Night Recap, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman sparked controversy by mocking Rodgers’ effort and age, saying:

“Aaron’s doing his best, but let’s be honest - he’s 41. Those touchdowns came from lucky breaks and soft flags. The refs gave him more help than his receivers did. The comeback by Cincinnati? That was inevitable.”

The remark quickly went viral, drawing outrage from Steelers fans and analysts, who slammed Aikman for disrespecting one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history. Many argued that Rodgers’ command under pressure and precision passing were the only reasons Pittsburgh stayed in the game at all.

When asked about Aikman’s comments at Wednesday’s media session, Rodgers remained calm but firm, addressing the criticism head-on:

“I’ve been hearing stuff like that for 20 years. I’ve never called myself great, no matter what people around me say. I don’t care for drama - I care about football. I play it because I love it. So please, don’t drag me into drama I never asked to be part of.”

The quote instantly spread across Steelers Nation, praised for its poise and quiet fire. Fans called it “the perfect Rodgers response” — confident, measured, and dripping with competitive pride.

Rodgers’ leadership and mental toughness have quickly turned him into the emotional anchor of this 2025 Steelers squad. Despite criticism and setbacks, he continues to carry himself with the same calm authority that’s defined his career.

“Winning never comes easy,” Rodgers later added. “Sometimes you get breaks, sometimes you don’t. But the moment you start calling effort ‘luck’ — that’s when you’ve stopped understanding the game.”

Through seven games, the veteran quarterback has proven that even at 41, his mind, accuracy, and leadership remain elite — and for the Steelers, that’s anything but luck.