Aaron Rodgers still has his opinions. On Sunday, he called the field at Acrisure Stadium “borderline unplayable,” shaking his head at the conditions of his home turf. But despite his grumbling, the 41-year-old quarterback isn’t playing like an aging veteran telling folks to “get off my lawn!” Instead, he is enjoying a renaissance with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a revival powered not by his new environment, but his recent marriage.
“I just really love her,” Mr. Rodgers said of his new partner, Brittani. “I’m so thankful to have her by my side at the end. When you have that stability and that rock behind you at the house, you can feel like you can do anything.”
This version of Mr. Rodgers, married, composed and quietly confident, has made him one of the NFL’s most surprising early-season stories. He may not have the youthful vigor and golden locks of New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, but the Steelers are 4-1 following a 23-9 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns where Mr. Rogers played like someone who has rediscovered his rhythm, confidence and maybe even his joy.
The four-time Most Valuable Player signed with Pittsburgh during the offseason after two decades in Green Bay and two tumultuous injury-filled years with the woeful New York Jets. His other big preseason announcement was confirming his marriage to Brittani, a relationship the couple has kept extremely private.
Unlike his past romances with celebrities like actresses Shailene Woodley and Olivia Munn and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, Mr. Rodgers’ wife prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Little is known about her and the two have not made any public appearances together. But Mr. Rodgers has credited her for improving his emotional well-being and his professional focus.
“When you meet the right one, and you’re with the right one, your whole world changes in a second,” he said. “To have that person that unconditionally loves you behind the scenes, there’s no better feeling in the world.”
It also helps to be with a winning organization with productive players. Mr. Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh, a six-time Super Bowl champion, after failing to deliver on the high expectations during his tenure in New York. He tore his Achilles in the Jets first game of the 2023 season and struggled through a mid-season change in head coaches last year.
His divorce from New York was amicable allowing Mr. Rodgers to seek a new marriage in more ways than one. Though he may not be the dynamic quarterback he was in leading the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV in 2011, he has stabilized the Steelers offense with his smart decision-making, precision throws and confident swagger.
He completed 21 of 30 for 235 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in Pittsburgh’s decisive victory over the rival Browns on Sunday. The Steelers led by a proven head coach in Mike Tomlin stayed atop the AFC North with their 22nd straight home win over Cleveland.
With the Browns struggling with quarterback issues, the Baltimore Ravens trying to survive without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Cincinnati Bengals without Joe Burrow, Pittsburgh is a clear front-runner for the division title.
Still, Mr. Rodgers made headlines after the game complaining about the shoddy conditions of the field. He suggested it may have led to an injury suffered by Steelers safety Miles Killebrew.
“By the time the third quarter rolled around, that thing was really beat up,” he said, adding, “It reminds me a little bit of the field in Green Bay in the early years, but not until like, November or early December where it would get kind of torn up a little bit.”
The field conditions didn’t seem to bother Steelers receiver D.K. Metcalf, who has emerged as Mr. Rodgers favorite target. The former Seattle Seahawk has been a steady and electric presence. He caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, giving him 356 yards receiving and four touchdowns in his first five games with the Steelers.
“Our timing is getting better each day in practice,” Mr. Metcalf said of his relationship with Mr. Rodgers. “We’re both on the same page. We talk about the coverage I am going to receive, so we both know what to expect.”
Five games is a small sample size of what to expect in an NFL season, so how Mr. Rodgers holds up remains a valid question. But after two years of tabloid drama and being known more for his complex personality and philosophical tangents, Mr. Rodgers is rewriting the narrative. He’s back to being a winning quarterback again.