Joe Flacco recently marked a noteworthy return as the younger starting quarterback in an NFL matchup, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. This marked a significant moment in history, as he and Aaron Rodgers, who is turning 42 soon, combined for a considerable age of 84 years and 226 days, making it the second-oldest quarterback matchup ever recorded in the NFL.
Flacco’s Unique Position in NFL History
For the first time since 2020, Flacco found himself in this unusual position. Normally, he would play against quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees, who are also well into their 40s. However, Flacco’s last experience as the younger quarterback was nearly five years ago, on October 18, 2020, against Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Flashback to 2020
On that day, Flacco, aged 35, faced Fitzpatrick, who was turning 38, while playing for the Miami Dolphins. Fitzpatrick excelled, throwing three touchdown passes, leading Miami to a 24-0 victory. The Dolphins had an impressive enough lead to allow rookie Tua Tagovailoa to make his NFL debut.
Career Progressions
- Fitzpatrick signed with the Washington Football Team after the 2020 season.
- He ended up on injured reserve and subsequently retired.
- Fitzpatrick has since transitioned to broadcasting for Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football.
Historical Context of Quarterback Matchups
The matchup between Rodgers and Flacco reminded fans of earlier historical games, such as those featuring Brady and Brees. The two legends met multiple times in the 2020 season, with playoffs producing a record total age of 85 years and 172 days. This record could potentially be broken if Flacco and Rodgers remain with their teams for another full season.
The football community remains hopeful for future matchups that could etch new records into NFL history, especially given the longevity displayed by these seasoned quarterbacks.
