The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered a new season with Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback, aiming to improve on last year’s performance with Russell Wilson. Despite Rodgers coming off a challenging season with the New York Jets, there is cautious hope that he could help the Steelers advance in the playoffs. The topic of how Rodgers fits within the Steelers’ system and his role on the team remains a key focus for fans and analysts alike.
Gerald McCoy Raises Question About Rodgers’ Role on the Team
Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy recently weighed in on Rodgers’ potential impact during a discussion on SPEAK. McCoy challenged the idea of Rodgers being the leading figure by asking,
“How far back on the bus is Aaron Rodgers willing to sit?”
He explained that Rodgers must accept not being the primary playmaker on the Steelers but rather fill a supporting role that leverages his remaining skills.
McCoy emphasized,
“You’re not the lead guy anymore. We have a formula here. The problem with the Pittsburgh Steelers is they’ve gotten into the playoffs and they don’t have a guy that can make the throws. All they need him to do is make those particular throws that they need a quarterback to make, that these guys haven’t been able to make. So, if Aaron Rodgers is willing to take a backseat and just play his role, they can go as far as the AFC Championship.”
Rodgers’ Physical Decline and Experience Compared to Steelers’ Past QBs
Aaron Rodgers is known for his sharp football mind, which remains intact despite some physical decline. Compared to Ben Roethlisberger’s final years, Rodgers’ ability to deliver difficult throws has not diminished as severely. Roethlisberger struggled with physical setbacks, including elbow surgery, which compromised his effectiveness, whereas Rodgers, even returning from Achilles surgery, showed an ability to adapt and perform.
Last season, Rodgers’ stats reflected improvement as he gained comfort returning from injury. In the first 10 games, Rodgers averaged 6.65 yards per throw with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. In the final seven games, his yards per attempt slightly decreased to 6.6 but with a higher touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13 to four. While these numbers are modest, they indicate growing rhythm as the season progressed, though not enough to suggest he can be the unquestioned leader carrying the team.
Can Rodgers Accept a Supporting Role to Maximize Team Success?
According to McCoy, Rodgers must be prepared to relinquish the spotlight and contribute as a key supporting player rather than the primary driver.
“Rodgers can’t be the bus driver; he has to sit in the back as a passenger and be ready for when the Steelers need him to make big-time throws,”
McCoy said. Rodgers still possesses the talent to make critical plays when called upon, but the question remains if he will embrace this adjusted role for the greater good of the team.
Even with further recovery from his Achilles injury, Rodgers’ physical skills are inevitably declining, but he likely represents the best quarterback option the Steelers have seen since Roethlisberger retired. The team’s promising defense adds to this optimism and bolsters McCoy’s belief in the Steelers’ potential to make a deep playoff run if Rodgers adapts as needed.
“Because they have the defense, well, he gotta get T.J. [Watt] back in the building. But they have the defense, they have a formula that’s been working,”
McCoy explained. He added,
“But, what they’ve run into is they haven’t had a quarterback that can make those particular throws only when we need you to.”
Steelers’ Playoff Struggles Rooted in More Than Just Quarterback Issues
While McCoy faults previous quarterbacks for playoff shortcomings, a broader view shows that Pittsburgh’s playoff difficulties involve multiple factors. The quarterback position has lacked a clear advantage since 2020, yet the losses also trace back to defensive lapses. Since the 2016 AFC Championship Game, the Steelers’ defense has consistently allowed at least 28 points per playoff game, undermining their chances.
Offensively, Pittsburgh has struggled to produce points in the postseason as well. Since Roethlisberger’s final playoff appearance in 2021, the Steelers have failed to score more than 17 points in any playoff game, highlighting a critical need for offensive improvement. The hope is that Rodgers can spark this enhancement by delivering the timely throws the team requires.
Teamwork Between Rodgers and Steelers Defense Key to Future Success
Winning in the playoffs depends on the combined efforts of offense and defense, a formula that brought Pittsburgh to three Super Bowls between 2005 and 2010. If Rodgers performs well and executes crucial plays while the defense holds strong, the Steelers could break their playoff drought and challenge for the AFC Championship.
Conversely, if either Rodgers falters or the defense underperforms, the team is unlikely to advance. The balance and cooperation between Rodgers’ experience and the Steelers’ defensive prowess will ultimately determine whether the franchise can regain its position among the NFL’s elite.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Aaron Rodgers have a wife?
A. Rodgers, who is 41, shared that he got married a few months ago. However, he hasn’t publicly named his wife.
Rumors about his marriage started when the Steelers signed him, showing a picture of him wearing what seemed to be a wedding ring.
Q. Can Aaron Rodgers retire?
A. In 2022, Rodgers mentioned he would certainly retire with the Packers if they didn’t trade him, but then they traded him. However, he still appears willing to end his career as a Packers player.
Q. Did Aaron Rodgers do to his brother’s wedding?
A. Aaron Rodgers skipped his brother Jordan’s wedding in 2022. This happened after the former Green Bay Packers quarterback ended his relationship with his family years ago.
Q. What happened to Aaron Rodgers and his fiance?
A. February 2022: It’s Over A source informed E! News that Aaron and Shailene ended their relationship after being together for over a year. “They are quite different individuals,” the source explained. “Their career paths led them in different directions.”