Julian Edelman Just Exposed the Real Difference Between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers
The debate between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers as the greatest quarterback of their generation continues to spark passionate discussions among NFL fans and analysts. While both legends have cemented their places in football history, former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman believes the way each quarterback has handled their final seasons reveals a fundamental difference in their character and approach to the game.
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Edelman, Brady's trusted target during three Super Bowl victories, recently appeared on The Herd With Colin Cowherd, where he drew a stark distinction between how the two quarterbacks approached their final NFL campaigns.
'You can't even put those guys in the same sentence, because we didn't know it was Tom Brady's last year,' Edelman said. 'When it was [Brady's] last year, he didn't want the distraction of that. He wanted to go out and play his best possible football that he could play the last year of his career without making it a distraction. Now, we know it's [Rodgers'] last year — we've heard that before.'
The contrast is striking. Brady retired for 40 days in 2022 before returning for the 2023 season. Though many assumed it would be his last, he never confirmed it until after the season ended in February. His approach was to let his play do the talking, avoiding the media circus that often accompanies farewell tours.
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Rodgers, on the other hand, has been far more public about his intentions. The 41-year-old quarterback recently told The Pat McAfee Show that the 2025 season will likely be his last, which influenced his decision to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
'This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had. I've played 20 freaking years,' Rodgers said.
When examining their legacies, the statistical comparison heavily favors Brady. He won seven Super Bowls to Rodgers' one. But Rodgers brings impressive individual accolades to Pittsburgh, including four NFL Most Valuable Player awards, joining Peyton Manning as the only players to win the honor four or more times. He was named first-team All-Pro four times and is a 10-time Pro Bowl selection.
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Still, postseason success has eluded Rodgers for much of his career. His new one-year, $13.65 million contract with Pittsburgh includes $10 million guaranteed and incentives that could raise the total to $19.5 million. Though there were discussions with teams like the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers said the Steelers were his only true option.
'It was here or not play,' he said.
Despite his respect for the Steelers organization, Edelman remains skeptical about Rodgers' chances of capturing a second Super Bowl ring in Pittsburgh.
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'I love Mike Tomlin, I love the culture, I love the defense, I like Arthur Smith. But how fast can they get that machine going?' Edelman said. 'Aaron doesn't know his teammates at all yet. Once again, he's going into another year behind.'
He continued, 'I like the move. It's the best thing for the Steelers right now. And Aaron, he's going to a team that's not terrible. If he wants to continue his football career, that's awesome. He gets the opportunity to do it at one of the pillars of the National Football League — but do I think they're going to win a Super Bowl? No, I don't.'
Edelman's comments reflect a broader sentiment that Brady set a standard for how elite quarterbacks should conduct themselves during their twilight years. His focus remained solely on winning, avoiding distractions, and maximizing his team's potential even as speculation swirled about his retirement.
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The comparison extends beyond just their final seasons. Brady's teams have flopped in the postseason far less often than Rodgers'. It's also fair to note that Brady has had less 'off-the-field drama' throughout his career — aside from the Deflategate saga.
Rodgers now finds himself in Pittsburgh learning an entirely new system with receivers he's never played with before. The Steelers did add DK Metcalf in a trade from Seattle, giving Rodgers a proven target who has consistently produced. But with George Pickens shipped off to Dallas, the rest of the receiving corps looks thin beyond Metcalf.
Whether Rodgers can finally get over the hump and win another championship remains to be seen. But if Edelman's assessment proves correct, Steelers fans might be in for another disappointing January.
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Related: 'Real Space' Between Buccaneers And Rivals In NFC South Chase
Related: Does Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Have Top-10 Offense At His Disposal In 2025?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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