Aaron Rodgers ties Peyton Manning for third in career touchdown passes after Steelers win

Aaron Rodgers tied Peyton Manning for third on the NFL’s career regular-season passing-touchdown list on October 18, 2026, throwing two scores as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime in Tampa. His 539th touchdown pass won the game and brought him level with Manning, according to HEAVY and ESPN.

How Rodgers reached 539 touchdown passes

Rodgers entered the game two touchdown passes short of Manning’s total, HEAVY reported. Pittsburgh did not reach the end zone until the fourth quarter. Rodgers’ second touchdown throw came in overtime, giving the Steelers the road victory and completing the move up the career list.

Rodgers completed 33 of 49 passes for 253 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, HEAVY reported. Tampa Bay sacked him five times. His touchdown total for the season stood at 12 through six games, while the win left Pittsburgh with a 4-2 record.

Where Rodgers stands on the NFL career list

Only Drew Brees, with 571, and Tom Brady, with 649, are ahead of Rodgers and Manning in regular-season touchdown passes, ESPN reported. Rodgers’ next touchdown pass would move him clear of Manning into third place. The distinction matters because postseason touchdowns are counted separately from the regular-season record he tied in Tampa.

ESPN’s season tracker says Rodgers had already passed Manning for third in touchdown passes when postseason games are included, reaching 582 on that measure. The overtime throw therefore changed his position on the regular-season list; it was a different milestone from the combined regular-season and playoff ranking.