Aaron Rodgers, who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in June on a one-year contract, is expected to play in what is likely the final season of his professional career. However, Steelers fans will not see him during the team‘s first preseason game on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the organization has decided to rest him along with other starters.
Head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Rodgers and several key players will sit out the opener to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, believing veterans like Rodgers require less preseason practice to prepare for the regular season. This approach aims to conserve their energy for the more critical games ahead.
Coaching staff’s rationale for resting starters in the preseason
Coach Tomlin explained that the decision to withhold some players from the game isn’t injury-related but strategic. Veterans with extensive NFL experience need less game-time practice during the preseason, and the coaching staff prefers to focus these opportunities on less experienced players who need more preparation.
“I’ve identified some guys that won’t be playing in this game this week. It has nothing to do with injury,” Tomlin said on Thursday. “They need less runway to take off, to be quite honest with you, because of their experience and where they are in their careers.”
“Oftentimes, I preserve them through this process while providing more opportunities for those that need more preparation and more opportunity to display their talents.”
Aaron Rodgers’ perspective on sitting out the preseason opener
Rodgers supports Coach Tomlin’s plan and does not feel the need to participate in every preseason matchup. He highlighted the differences between preseason and regular season football, noting that defenses do not typically play at full intensity during these early games.
“I’m totally on board. If [Tomlin] wants me to play, I’ll play. If not, then I won’t,” Rodgers said on Wednesday. “Preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don’t really do a lot.”
This is not a new situation for Rodgers, who has played in just two preseason games since 2018, underscoring how he manages his playing time as a future Hall of Famer and seasoned professional.
Other Steelers starters also sidelined for preseason opener
Alongside Rodgers, other important Pittsburgh players including T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey will also be resting during the opener. Additionally, rookie quarterback Will Howard will be out due to a broken finger on his right hand.
With both Rodgers and Howard unavailable, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson will share quarterback duties for the Steelers, and newly signed Logan Woodside might see some playing time as well.
Broadcast options for the Steelers vs. Jaguars preseason game
The Steelers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday to start their preseason schedule. Jaguars fans will get the chance to watch rookie standout Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall draft pick, playing at both wide receiver and cornerback.
This preseason game will not have a national broadcast. Instead, it will be televised locally by FOX 30 (WJAX) in Jacksonville and CBS 2 (KDKA) in Pittsburgh. Fans also have streaming access through NFL+ or FuboTV.
Game details:
Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
TV Channels: CBS 2 (Pittsburgh), FOX 30 (Jacksonville)
Streaming Services: NFL+, FuboTV
Implications of resting key players early in the preseason
The decision to rest Aaron Rodgers and other starters in the preseason opener reflects a cautious approach to player health and longevity, especially for veterans with well-established careers. This strategy helps reduce the risk of injury from non-critical games while allowing younger players more chances to gain experience on the field.
With Rodgers and several other leaders resting, the preseason opener will serve as a valuable audition for backup quarterbacks and emerging talent, offering a glimpse of the Steelers’ depth as they prepare for the regular season. Fans will be watching closely to see how the next wave of players perform in Rodgers’ absence during the game against the Jaguars.