With the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers was among the finest quarterbacks within the NFL. He routinely made unbelievable performs. Now, he’s a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s clear that he’s previous his prime. Age and accidents have affected Rodgers. Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has expertise going through Rodgers in his prime, and he defined what he thinks is completely different in regards to the quarterback now.
“I believe the one factor that’s in all probability actually modified is he’s not working as a lot when it comes to making an attempt to get away,” Austin stated Tuesday throughout minicamp through audio supplied by the group. “When he was youthful, you might see him, you’d be scared to play some man defenses. He’d get out of the pocket.
“He may beat you along with his legs. Most likely not as a lot, he’s in all probability extra selective when it comes to working that means. However I don’t see any drop-off when it comes to accuracy, when it comes to ball velocity, when it comes to how he spins it.”
Austin was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2017. Throughout that point, he confronted Rodgers on the peak of his powers. That features being on the receiving finish of considered one of Rodgers’ well-known Hail Mary throws. An enormous cause why that play occurred was as a result of Rodgers was capable of transfer exterior of the pocket.
At present, Rodgers can’t transfer in addition to he used to. That was evident final yr when he was with the New York Jets. The Steelers confronted Rodgers, so Austin acquired an opportunity to sport plan for the four-time NFL MVP. It looks as if he was capable of discover the distinction in his play model.
Nonetheless, that shouldn’t be shocking. It isn’t typically that 41-year-old quarterbacks have good mobility. That’s very true for Rodgers, who tore his Achilles to begin the 2023 season. That harm probably sapped him of a lot of his athleticism.
That doesn’t imply Rodgers is washed up, although. Like Austin says, the quarterback’s arm nonetheless seems to be nice. Whereas he won’t be as cellular as he as soon as was, he can nonetheless push the ball down the sector. Within the Steelers’ offense, that ought to be sufficient to search out some success. They’ll probably attempt to lean on the run sport, not asking Rodgers to hold them.
That places a number of accountability on the Steelers’ offensive linemen, although. Their younger and largely unproven, however for the Steelers to succeed, they’ll must preserve Rodgers upright. If they will try this, he may be capable to recapture a few of his previous magic.
