Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that he has no long-term doubts about quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ ability to perform at a high level, even after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walk off the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walk off the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“I’m not gonna chalk it up to an off night, but there are no long-term concerns,” hetold reporters on Tuesday. “I’m just not going to allow your words to be my words. That’s all. Sunday night was what it was. But I have no long-term reservations about his ability to play the position, and play the position at a high level for us.”
Tomlin was asked if he has any long-term concerns when it comes to Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/W5OxZrd3pe
— Ashley Liotus (@AshleyLiotus) November 11, 2025
Rodgers, the NFL’s oldest active player, had one of the worst outings of his 21-year career in the 25-10 defeat, completing just 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, throwing two interceptions, and being responsible for a safety.
During the post-match interview, Rodgers accepted the fact that he did not perform as expected. “I didn’t play very good at all,” he said. “We were bad. We got to find a way to get over on third down,” Rodgerssaid. “We got to find a way to hit them, because that was just bad all over.”
Despite the disappointing performance, Tomlin emphasized that this was simply an off night and not a sign of decline.
Tomlin acknowledged the Chargers’ defense played well and challenged his offense, but he rejected the idea that the Steelers’ offense has become too predictable.
Instead, he pointed to the team’s ongoing struggles to convert on third downs as a key issue, noting the Steelers have converted only 36 percent of third-down attempts this season and a mere 21 percent over the last three weeks.
The coach’s remarks came during a press conference where he also showed frustration with the offense’s overall performance but remained supportive of Rodgers’ role as the team’s leader.
Steelers’ Offensive Woes Highlight Need for Improvement on Third Downs
The Steelers’ offense has been underperforming in recent weeks, with the team managing less than 300 total yards in three consecutive games.
This lack of offensive production has put pressure on Rodgers and the entire unit to find ways to sustain drives and score more consistently.
Tomlin’s comments suggest that while Rodgers’ individual performance was disappointing, the offensive struggles are more systemic and not solely the quarterback’s responsibility.
The Steelers currently hold a 5-4 record and lead the AFC North by a slim margin, making every game critical as the season progresses. Tomlin’s confidence in Rodgers signals the team’s commitment to their veteran quarterback despite the recent setbacks.
The focus now shifts to how the offense can improve its efficiency, particularly on third downs, to support Rodgers and keep the Steelers competitive in a tightly contested division.
Tomlin’s stance offers a vote of confidence in Rodgers’ ability to rebound and lead the team moving forward, underscoring the belief that one poor game does not define the quarterback’s future or the team’s potential this season.