Aaron Rodgers reached a significant career milestone as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 on October 25, 2026, in the NFL’s first regular-season game played in France. The veteran quarterback threw his 540th career regular-season touchdown pass, moving past Peyton Manning into sole possession of third place on the league’s all-time list.
The game at Stade de France in Saint-Denis combined an individual achievement with an important victory for Pittsburgh, which improved to 5-2 and recorded its third consecutive win. Rodgers also continued his recent run of international appearances, having played in London in 2024, Dublin in 2025, and Paris in 2026.
Aaron Rodgers reaches another NFL milestone in Paris
Rodgers made history against New Orleans when he threw a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington during the second quarter. The completion was the 540th regular-season touchdown pass of Rodgers’ career, placing him ahead of former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who finished his career with 539.
The milestone came during Rodgers’ first regular-season appearance in France, adding another international experience to his career with the NFL. The 42-year-old quarterback had already played in London and Dublin during the two preceding seasons, making the Paris matchup the third consecutive season in which he played an international game in a different country.
Rodgers entered the game with a career that included four NFL Most Valuable Player awards and a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers. His latest achievement added another statistical milestone to that record, while Pittsburgh’s victory gave the quarterback and his teammates an important result during the regular season.
Rodgers passes Peyton Manning on the touchdown list
Rodgers reached 540 regular-season passing touchdowns with his four-yard scoring pass to Washington, moving into third place on the NFL’s all-time list. Tom Brady, with 649 touchdown passes, and Drew Brees, with 571, remained the only players ahead of Rodgers in the rankings reported after the game.
The scoring play developed after Rodgers connected with wide receiver DK Metcalf for a 51-yard completion that brought Pittsburgh close to the New Orleans goal line. Rodgers then found Washington in the end zone, giving the Steelers a 10-3 lead and recording the touchdown that separated him from Manning on the career list.
Manning retired after the 2015 season with 539 regular-season touchdown passes, a total Rodgers surpassed more than a decade later. The record concerns regular-season passing touchdowns rather than every touchdown scored in a player’s career, making that distinction important when comparing the figures across NFL history.
The Steelers defeat the Saints in a historic matchup
Pittsburgh opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal from Chris Boswell in the first quarter, taking a 3-0 lead into the second period. New Orleans answered with a 38-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson before Rodgers connected with Washington to give the Steelers a seven-point advantage.
The Saints responded with a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Shough to Devaughn Vele, tying the score at 10-10 during the second quarter. Boswell then converted a 47-yard field goal as time expired before halftime, putting Pittsburgh ahead 13-10 after a competitive first half.
Pittsburgh added the decisive points with a 39-yard field goal from Boswell late in the third quarter, extending the lead to 16-10. The Steelers prevented New Orleans from scoring again, while a late missed 52-yard field goal by Carlson helped preserve Pittsburgh’s six-point victory.
Jaylen Warren and Darnell Washington support Rodgers
Running back Jaylen Warren contributed 101 rushing yards on 18 carries, providing Pittsburgh with an effective ground game against the Saints. His production helped the Steelers maintain their offensive balance, particularly in a matchup in which Rodgers completed 19 of his 30 pass attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown.
Washington played a central role in the game’s most significant individual moment by catching Rodgers’ four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The reception gave Pittsburgh a 10-3 lead and officially recorded Rodgers’ 540th career regular-season passing touchdown, moving him beyond Manning on the all-time list.
Metcalf also contributed to the scoring drive with a 51-yard reception that placed Pittsburgh near the New Orleans end zone. The combination of Metcalf’s long catch, Washington’s touchdown reception, and Warren’s rushing production helped the Steelers create scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
Paris hosts the NFL’s first regular-season game in France
Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, hosted the matchup between Pittsburgh and New Orleans on October 25, 2026. The game marked the first time the NFL staged a regular-season contest in France, extending the league’s established international schedule to another European country.
The matchup attracted Nearly 80,000 spectators, according to published game reports and attendance records. The crowd watched Pittsburgh secure the victory at a stadium better known for major football and rugby events, giving the NFL a regular-season showcase in the Paris area.
The Paris game also gave the league another opportunity to stage a competitive regular-season matchup outside the United States. International fixtures allow teams to play in front of audiences in other markets, while the league continues to schedule select games at overseas venues during the regular season.
Rodgers continues his international-game appearances
Rodgers’ international playing history includes an appearance in London in 2022, when he represented the Green Bay Packers against the New York Giants. That earlier game established his experience playing outside the United States, although it was separate from the three consecutive seasons that produced his latest international milestone.
In 2024, Rodgers played in London as a member of the New York Jets, who faced the Minnesota Vikings in an international regular-season matchup. He then appeared in Dublin in 2025 after joining Pittsburgh, before playing in Paris during the 2026 season.
Those appearances across London, Dublin, and Paris in three consecutive seasons formed the basis of the international milestone reported after the Saints game. The distinction is that Rodgers played in three different countries over those three seasons, rather than becoming the first NFL quarterback to appear in any international game.
The Steelers extend their winning streak
Pittsburgh’s 16–10 victory over New Orleans on October 25, 2026, improved the Steelers’ record to 5–2 and extended their winning streak to 3 games. The Saints fell to 2–5 after being held scoreless in the second half.
Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards and 1 touchdown without an interception. His 8-yard scramble on third-and-six late in the fourth quarter helped Pittsburgh keep possession and run down the clock.
The Steelers’ defense limited New Orleans to 18 rushing yards. Linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted Saints quarterback Tyler Shough in the third quarter while New Orleans was threatening to score near Pittsburgh’s goal line, helping the Steelers preserve their lead.
Rodgers adds another achievement to his NFL career
Aaron Rodgers reached a career milestone during Pittsburgh’s 16–10 victory over New Orleans in Paris on October 25, 2026. His 540th regular-season passing touchdown moved him past Peyton Manning into third place on the NFL’s all-time list, while the Steelers improved to 5–2 and recorded their third consecutive win.
Rodgers’ career includes a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers and 4 NFL Most Valuable Player awards. His latest achievement added to his record as one of the league’s leading regular-season touchdown passers.
Pittsburgh’s victory gave the team momentum heading into its next divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers will aim to extend their winning streak as the 2026 regular season continues.
Fun fact: Before becoming an NFL star, Aaron Rodgers played at Butte College, a junior college in California, where he led the football team to a 10-1 record in 2002 and a No. 2 national ranking.
TL;DR
- Aaron Rodgers threw his 540th career regular-season touchdown pass against the Saints.
- The Steelers defeated New Orleans 16-10 in the NFL’s first regular-season game in France.
- Rodgers moved past Peyton Manning into third place on the all-time passing touchdown list.
- Jaylen Warren rushed for 101 yards, while Darnell Washington caught the milestone touchdown.
- Pittsburgh improved to 5-2 and extended its winning streak to three games.
- The Paris game marked Rodgers’ third consecutive season playing an international game in a different country.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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