Aaron Rodgers is known for his big arm, quick release, and, in his prime, mobility that frustrated defenses. For Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan, there’s another trait Rodgers has in spades. Toughness.
“The one thing about Aaron people don’t talk enough about is how tough he is,” Khan said in an interview on the NFL Daily podcast with Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue. “He is a tough football player, and he’s a great leader.”
Khan referenced the same during an earlier interview during his Tuesday media tour, noting Rodgers’ toughness “resonated” with the rest of the organization.
Pittsburgh is synonymous with tough quarterbacks. Terry Bradshaw took plenty of hits from the old-school 1970s, once knocked out cold by Cleveland Browns DL “Turkey” Joe Jones. Bradshaw showed mental toughness in withstanding criticism from fans and even from head coach Chuck Noll. Ben Roethlisberger was one of the toughest quarterbacks of his generation, consistently playing through injury to the point it became a meme.
Physically, Rodgers held up through most of the season. But he battled and played through broken bones in his left, non-throwing wrist. Missing just one game, a contest against Chicago that Rodgers wasn’t thrilled to sit out, he returned to finish out the rest of the season. He wore a hard cast followed by a soft cast for most of that time, spending plenty of time with head trainer Gabe Amponsah to get ready each week.
The injury seemed worse than anyone in the building, Rodgers included, was willing to let on. Rookie Will Howard lauded Rodgers for his “unbelievable pain tolerance.”
Rodgers took big hits early in the season, but even in his 40s, quickly bounded to his feet each time.
During his media tour, Khan noted the desire to find an “AFC North” quarterback. He didn’t define exactly what that meant, but it’s safe to say toughness is one of those factors needed to handle the physicality of the AFC North and the cold climate that’s sunk many warm-blooded quarterbacks. Bradshaw, Roethlisberger, and Rodgers all have it. The team’s next franchise passer will need it, too.
Recommended for you