New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers etched his name further into NFL history, becoming just the fifth player to throw 500 regular-season touchdown passes, The Associated Press reports.
The milestone came in the second quarter of the Jets’ 32-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.
With 7:57 remaining in the first half, Rodgers, facing first-and-goal from the 5-yard line, evaded pressure in the pocket before firing a pass to tight end Tyler Conklin in the end zone, giving the Jets a 7-6 lead. Conklin handed the ball to Rodgers as his offensive teammates swarmed him with celebratory hugs.
Rodgers now joins an exclusive club alongside Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Brett Favre (508) as the only quarterbacks to reach the 500-touchdown milestone.
The touchdown pass also marked Rodgers’ 25 of the season, his 14 season reaching that mark, tying him with Brees for the third-most in NFL history. Only Brady (17) and Manning (16) have more. He then added his 501st career touchdown pass on a 13-yard throw to Allen Lazard with 59 seconds remaining in the first half.
Rodgers wasn’t done making history. His third touchdown pass of the game, No. 502, came on a 4-yard connection with Davante Adams. This marked the 83rd touchdown pass of their careers together, making them the third most prolific quarterback-wide receiver duo in NFL history, surpassing Dan Marino and Mark Clayton.
He then added his 503rd career touchdown pass with 2:30 remaining in the game, a 6-yard toss to Breece Hall.
The 41-year-old Rodgers, despite throwing an interception on his first pass against Miami, entered the game just one touchdown pass away from 500 after getting his 499th on a connection with Davante Adams in the Jets’ previous game.
Rodgers’ milestone game came a week after a rough outing in Buffalo, where he was held without a touchdown pass, threw two interceptions, and was sacked four times. That brought his career sack total to an NFL-record 568.
Rodgers’ playing future beyond Sunday is uncertain. He has expressed his desire to return to the Jets but said he’ll take time in the offseason to consider his future. He has one year remaining on his contract.
