Aaron Rodgers faces brutal QB rankings check while earning unexpected Kyler Murray comparison

Aaron Rodgers has received a reality check in the latest quarterback rankings. The Steelers star sits 20th among 93 quarterbacks in FanSided's pre-season project.

A panel of 50 experts graded every signal-caller on a 12-point scale. Rodgers scored 7.52, landing him in a tier of his own titled 'Solid Starter'.

It is not the company a future Hall of Famer expects to keep.

With Murray comparison Rodgers ranked 20th as Steelers prep for Week 1

The 42-year-old sits just below a cluster of 11 quarterbacks in the 'Strong QB1' tier, which includes Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Jayden Daniels and Jared Goff.

Even more brutal: C.J. Stroud ranks one spot ahead of him, and Kyler Murray sits directly behind at No. 21.

Murray is grouped in the 'Game Manager' category, alongside Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart and Bryce Young. Rodgers was less than a tenth of a point from falling into that same bracket.

His numbers last season still had substance, with 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 games. But the panel clearly see the decline in mobility and the hesitation in the pocket.

With Mike McCarthy back on the sideline and the Steelers hosting the Falcons in Week 1, Pittsburgh will hope the reunion sparks a resurgence.

Given his age and where he ranks, grounded expectations are the message for Steelers fans.

The Murray connection is where the story turns unexpected. Former teammate Chris Streveler believes the two quarterbacks share more than people realise, at least in how the media treats them.

'I've been around a lot of guys who have been somewhat misunderstood. Kyler being one of them. Aaron Rodgers was another. I had positive experiences with both of those guys,' Streveler said, per Action Network's Kyle Odegard.

'The media is going to always take those narratives and run with them, try to build them up.'

Streveler also believes Murray's mix of arm and leg talent is elite, putting him in a class with Lamar Jackson.

Rodgers will be watching that comparison from Pittsburgh. One veteran whose narrative has been written for years, and one trying to rewrite his. The rankings say both have work to do.