Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers
Credit: ESPN, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a polarizing figure because of his controversial opinions and contentious relationship with the media. He plans to disappear into the ether after this NFL season, but for now, Rodgers, 42, remains a hot topic.
Under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over for Mike Tomlin, now a media star, in January, the Steelers are 1-1. Rodgers, in his 22nd and final NFL season, has thrown for 408 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 59.5% completion, while getting absolutely obliterated in the pocket.
On Wednesday’s First Take, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo proclaimed it’s time to panic about the Steelers. Jordan Rodgers, meanwhile, wants Pittsburgh to be patient with his older brother, a four-time NFL MVP.
“I think, if you truly watched Week 1, this was a team that was a few drops and a few missed calls away from being absolutely explosive like we haven’t seen out of the Steelers in a really long time,” Jordan Rodgers said, referencing Pittsburgh’s 20-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“And [Aaron] Rodgers was actually very accurate down the field,” he continued. “The throws that were not completed, because either a non-call or that were dropped down the field, were on the money. Not trying to be a homer.”
Jordan Rodgers preaches patience with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Rodgers was actually very accurate down the field…not trying to be a homer.” pic.twitter.com/xuWkf5pAZD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 23, 2026
Then, Jordan brought up his brother’s relationship with McCarthy, with whom Aaron reportedly had an ugly falling out after a successful head coach-quarterback partnership with the Green Bay Packers.
“The other aspect that I think is still a feeling out process is Rodgers and McCarthy are like that ex you ended up getting back together with after a long time,” Jordan said. “You’re like, ‘Hey, things are better. We’re different people. We’re still trying to figure out those quirks that we had when we were in a relationship.’ So, I think they’re still trying to feel out who they want to be based on what they both are capable of in this second iteration of their relationship.”
Jordan also tossed out that the Steelers “can’t run the football, which doesn’t help, and no one can catch right now,” without Michael Pittman Jr.
Jordan could have drawn on first-hand experience while offering perspective on his brother’s reconciliation with McCarthy.
In 2016, Jordan starred on The Bachelorette, where he met his now-wife, JoJo Fletcher. On the show, Jordan said he and Aaron “don’t really have that much of a relationship,” later describing it as “complicated” to Katie Nolan.
“I thought the best way to do it was just don’t talk about it publicly,” Aaron said of his strained relationship with Jordan in his 2024 documentary series, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma. “And what do they do? They go on a bullsh*t show and leave two empty chairs. They all agreed this was a good thing to do, to leave two empty chairs at a stupid dating show that my brother just went on to get famous — his words, not mine. That he ended up winning. But a dinner that was during the season, I was never asked to go to. Not that I would’ve gone.”
Fast forward a decade to this summer, and Aaron publicly shared his reconciliation with his family after their years-long estrangement. Jordan was noticeably absent from Aaron’s Instagram carousel that showed him with his parents and his other brother, Luke.
However, in August, Aaron opened up to Kyle Brandt and said, “It’s been really beautiful to reconnect with them, all of them.”
Talked to Aaron Rodgers about reuniting with his family and the role his wife played in it. pic.twitter.com/Nw2jDBanno
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) August 1, 2026
Aaron hasn’t specifically talked about Jordan, but it seems they’ve patched things up enough privately that Jordan feels comfortable vouching for Aaron on ESPN.
That, or he just really believes in the Steelers.