Having Aaron Rodgers leading the offense provides the Steelers with something Calvin Austin III has never experienced: confidence and certainty. Having Arthur Smith coordinating things rather than Matt Canada probably doesn’t hurt, either. But having played primarily with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson, it’s a considerable difference.
“Just having him back there going into any game gives us great confidence”, Austin told Bo Marchionte of Colleg2Pro about Rodgers. “I don’t like to ever compare and stuff, but sometimes in the past, it’s like kind of going into the game, almost searching some still, but [now] it’s like, we get all the answers”.
Austin just missed out on Ben Roethlisberger, but Russell Wilson is also a highly experienced quarterback. Yet while he didn’t name names, Austin clearly feels Aaron Rodgers brings something different to the Steelers. He ought to, as a four-time NFL MVP—and he has. The Steelers have many problems this year, but the quarterback position is decidedly down the list.
Rodgers hasn’t been flawless this season, but he extends his demands for accountability to himself. Routinely after games, he takes ownership of the plays he missed, and he expects the same level of accountability from his guys. They seem to be obliging, though whether that’s different from past years, I can’t say.
“Having [Rodgers] back there, he gives us full of confidence, and really just on us as receivers, like I always say, to paint good pictures for him”, Austin said. “At the end of day, we know he’s gonna give us the rock”.
Austin returned last Sunday after missing two games, and Rodgers didn’t forget about him. He saw a season-high six targets against the Packers, but it didn’t translate to many yards. That part is a work in progress, as is much of the offense. But with the right quarterback, the Steelers seem to have the confidence that things will work out.
In other words, they feel like they are always in the fight, no matter what happens. And that includes Rodgers’ eligibles on any given play. The Steelers have “no dead routes” with him at quarterback. In other words, if you’re an eligible on a play, you’d better expect you might see the ball.
The reality is the Steelers wanted Aaron Rodgers because they knew what that comes with. In many ways, he has taken charge of the offense, and even the team in general. He commands respect, and it’s respect that he has earned, and re-earned in this locker room. They listen because they see not only what he’s done, but also what he continues to do. That’s just not something they’ve had for years, at least since Roethlisberger retired. And for guys like Calvin Austin, it’s more than welcome to go into a game feeling prepared.
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