Aaron Rodgers, statistically, had a great debut for the Steelers, leading a 34-point effort with four touchdown passes. It made good on his offseason soul searching. Speaking to Evan Washburn after the game, he seemed genuine in his reflections of the offseason. Culminating in a comeback win, it felt like a validation of his decision to return and play for the Steelers.
“I love these guys. I love the organization, love them taking a chance on bringing me in and believing in me and giving me an opportunity to be out here with my guys”, Rodgers said of the Steelers organization. “There’s no greater feeling than being on the field and being able to compete. That’s what I was thinking about all those days in the offseason, was opportunities like this. Now, I didn’t think it’d be against my former team. But, really proud of our guys, making clutch plays down the stretch”.
For those who may be unaware, Rodgers is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, a four-time NFL MVP. With the Packers in 2010, he defeated the Steelers for his only Super Bowl victory. Neither he or the team has had a lot of postseason success lately, but the first fruits of their union tasted fairly sweet.
Few harbor hopes for Aaron Rodgers to lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl title this year. Many do, however, recognize the fact that he elevates their quarterback play. Although the bar is low, he figures to provide their best quarterback play since at least Ben Roethlisberger retired.
Rodgers finished his Steelers debut going 22-for-30 for 244 yards with four touchdowns and zero interception. He took four sacks, some of which were at least partially on him, but considering he didn’t play at all in the preseason, he looked pretty sharp. And some of those incompletions, depending on how you look at them, were either drops or uncalled defensive pass interference penalties.
After a storied career with the Packers, Green Bay traded Rodgers to the Jets in 2023. He tore his Achilles mere seconds into his New York debut, however, and last year, in his return from injury, he went 5-12. They unceremoniously released him in March, and it appears he seriously contemplated retiring.
While he may have pursued other potentialities, like the Los Angeles Rams, Rodgers seems to feel he is in the right place with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. They had a long courtship throughout the offseason, culminating in him signing shortly before mandatory minicamp.
Rodgers favored his wide receivers, accounting for 14 of his total 29 targeted pass attempts. DK Metcalf drew seven targets, Calvin Austin III six, and Ben Skowronek one. TE Jonnu Smith also drew six targets, Pat Freiermuth three. Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren accounted for the other six targeted pass attempts.
Although Pittsburgh efficient in the red zone, the run game left a great deal to be desired, as did the offensive line as a whole. Still, all things considered, one has to be pleased with how Aaron Rodgers looked in his Steelers debut.
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