When Bill Cowher speaks, Pittsburgh Steelers fans listen.
And this week, the legendary coach has weighed in on his old team's move to sign Aaron Rodgers ...
And of course, when Rodgers is the topic, Steelers fans now listen as well.
So with that "perfect storm'' setup arranged ...
This week, TV host Dan Patrick asked Cowher about what level of autonomy he'd give he'd give the 41-year-old Rodgers and whether it might be similar to the power the coach once let Ben Roethlisberger have.
The former Steelers head coach issued a clear judgment.
"Absolutely. I don't think there's any question about it," Cowher told Patrick. "And I think Aaron's at a point where he knows, you don't want him to be throwing the ball 40 times a game at this point.
"You want Aaron Rodgers to be healthy going into the playoffs."
That answer is both about Rodgers' ability ... and his vulnerability. So protecting the four-time NFL MVP by keeping him upright, in part the responsibility of a capable running game, will be key for the Steelers as they try to repeat as a playoff entrant ....
And more.
And when the game is on the line? Regular season, playoffs, whenever?
"You can turn the ball over to him at the end of a half, at the end of a game and know he's been there before," Cowher said. "And I think he will operate that very, very efficiently. Again, I think it's going to be a matter of getting comfortable within this system with the players he has around him."
Cowher, 68, is a "Steelers for Life'' guy who led the team to a Super Bowl title during the 2005 season before going into broadcasting, where he remains a CBS studio fixture. Mike Tomlin took over then, and remains in place ... though for all of the relative success, the Steelers haven't won a playoff game in eight years.
The franchise has spent this offseason making a big push with big changes that include adding veterans Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey.
Cowher mentioned the idea of a "degree of urgency" to make this work .... but also warned of the need for patience.
"I think the biggest thing right now is going out there and try to bring this whole thing together," Cowher said. "A lot of change in terms of the faces of this team. That doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time.''