Now retired, former Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL wide receiver Adam Thielen can be honest about his thoughts on playing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His review from their time together is glowing.
“To see him in the building and in practice and his communication and the way that he does things in his detail,” Thielen said of Rodgers during a Monday appearance on Good Morning Football. “It really showed me why he’s been so great for so long.”
Thielen noted he knew Rodgers for years from their shared time in the NFC North, Thielen in Minnesota, Rodgers in Green Bay, and for the rounds of golf they played. They were only teammates for a little more than a month. Thielen was claimed by the Steelers and finished out the season rotating snaps in the offense, catching 11 passes for 117 yards across five games. He created instant chemistry with Rodgers, who preferred throwing to him over younger receivers like Roman Wilson.
Rodgers’ play on the field makes the highlights, but Thielen says he’s just as impressive behind the scenes.
“These guys are great and separate themselves because of their process. He treated every single practice like it was a Super Bowl. And I mean that.
“It was unbelievable to see first-hand just how hard he practiced, what it meant to him, how much communication there was through the week of trying to get everybody on the same page, whether that be coaches or players.”
Rodgers sets a high bar, and it’s one reason why he genuinely prefers veterans to rookies. Now, he’ll be Pittsburgh’s first returning quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger in 2021 with a mix of new and returning faces. DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington are back to build upon last year’s foundation. Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard are new, who has quickly gotten a crash course in what Rodgers wants.
Like many great players, especially quarterbacks, Rodgers is a competitor. Someone who loves to win. Traits that are evident in other greats like Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger, the latter who wanted to win in everything from football to locker room trash can basketball. With Rodgers, Thielen felt that immediately during his short stay with the team.
Rodgers will have to aim that internal fire and improved roster under his former head coach can overcome his age and declining mobility in a division likely to be competitive with a healthy Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
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