“Prime Aaron Rodgers was better than Patrick Mahomes” says Ben Roethlisberger and NFL fans are divided | NFL News

Just when we thought the Patrick Mahomes GOAT hype was locked in, Ben Roethlisberger pulled a plot twist nobody saw coming. On a podcast, the Steelers legend said he’d take Aaron Rodgers in his prime over Mahomes right now and yeah, the internet basically exploded.Ben’s not out here hating. In fact, he gave Mahomes major props. But his QB preference? Loud and clear. Rodgers’ prime > Mahomes’ now. Let’s unpack what he said, why fans are spiraling, and what this means for the never-ending GOAT debate.

Ben Roethlisberger’s QB take is bold and it’s already causing a fan civil war

Here’s the direct quote from Big Ben that started it all:“I would take Aaron in his prime over Patrick now… (Pat) He’ll go down as another arguable G.O.A.T. I think Aaron in his prime is better.”

That’s a statement. Especially in 2025, when Mahomes is fresh off his third Super Bowl and still in MVP form.Ben doubled down, calling both QBs “arguable GOATs,” but clearly siding with Rodgers’ peak form his accuracy, mobility, and raw arm talent during those dominant 2011 and 2014 seasons. Mahomes fans? Not having it.

NFL fans are divided and everyone’s defending their guy like it’s a playoff game

As soon as Big Ben’s Rodgers-over-Mahomes take dropped, NFL Twitter turned into the Wild West. Some fans had Rodgers’ back, pointing out the nuance of winning in football, while others were quick to drop the ol’ “rings > everything” take.Here’s how both sides fired off:In Rodgers’ corner…@MaxonUnlimited tweeted:“Of course, nothing against Patrick but Aaron has never had luck on his side in the playoffs. Every team needs a bit of it to win. Aaron’s defense or special teams have never been a difference maker.”@8M11Rod went even harder, calling out the ring-only crowd:“Only low IQ fans use the ring argument to say otherwise meanwhile actual legend QBs like Ben and Tom say Rodgers is better. It’s almost like to win rings you need defense, special teams, and 10 other guys on offense to do their job.”

They’re not wrong, Rodgers’ postseason exits are full of blocked punts, blown leads, and defenses that couldn’t hold a fourth-quarter stop if their lives depended on it.Meanwhile, Mahomes stans clapped back immediately…@330ITI fired:“That’s cool so he should have SOME rings to show for it then right?”@Uggg (aka Mark Collins) didn’t sugarcoat it either:“Yeah, not even close. Mahomes is better.”

They make a point, Mahomes already has three Super Bowl rings, multiple MVPs, and one of the best playoff résumés in NFL history, and he’s only 28.

The stats say it’s close but Mahomes is gaining fast

Let’s compare the two legends side by side:

Rodgers might be the “prettier” passer, but Mahomes has already done what Rodgers couldn’t—build a dynasty.So, is Ben stuck in the past or just giving flowers to a QB who might’ve been too smooth for his own good?Also read – Stefon Diggs trains like a beast even while vacationing in a castle with Cardi B