What's different is he's done something he hadn't managed in a while. He has people thinking again that he can do the job, that he should be the quarterback. Once again, the star label is back in play. Once again, he's the man. Of course, it's only our perception of his reality that's changed.
Quarterbacks never lose that feeling.
That's how a Kent Graham lasts eight years in the NFL despite having a resume that includes being a backup to two different quarterbacks at two different colleges. That's how a Rich Gannon becomes a MVP candidate at age 34. Now, he has to be pleased to see everybody coming around to that realization again. It's funny how in sports we connect playing experience with life experience. As you become a better player, you're assumed to have become a better person.