In Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers undoubtedly aren’t getting a quarterback who’s nonetheless within the prime of his profession. What they’re getting is a participant who understands the sport like no different. Rodgers has been taking part in the place at a excessive stage for twenty years and brings a ton of expertise to the Steelers’ offense. Talking on The Wealthy Eisen Present on Wednesday, former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth was impressed with how effectively Rodgers knew the sport, from each perspective.
“The man simply, he simply understands soccer at an unbelievable stage… He’s speaking the sport as if he performs guard,” Schlereth mentioned, referring to a dialog he had with Rodgers through the 2024 season. “I discover that the majority guys can’t try this. Most guys, exterior of their place, can’t speak concerning the issues in different positions… And there’s no one I’ve ever talked to, he, [Tom] Brady, and a few guys, which have a greater understanding of all people’s points on a soccer area at one time.”
This is likely one of the benefits the Steelers have with such an skilled quarterback within the backfield. Particularly when you think about the offense round him. Whereas Rodgers has already been serving to mentor Will Howard, there are many younger gamers throughout the roster in want of management. If Rodgers can get by to Schlereth, who spent 12 years within the NFL, it’s cheap to count on him to assist information gamers like Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Troy Fautanu.
That’s going to be vital to do. However the offensive line isn’t the one place that would use that sort of management. At receiver, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are nonetheless younger and coming alongside. All through his profession, Rodgers has been capable of mildew receivers into dependable targets. The Steelers are presently and not using a confirmed second choice at receiver. They’ll hope Rodgers has an identical impact on these two.
All of those completely different forces aligning appropriately will probably be essential to the Steelers’ success in 2025. If Rodgers can keep wholesome, although, Schlereth thinks that’s doable.
“There’s no query Aaron’s gonna be capable of diagnose it, determine it out, do his factor,” Schlereth mentioned. “But when he’s wholesome, and also you’ve acquired that run recreation combined with that play-action recreation? He’s gonna tear it up.”
Rodgers did occur to look wholesome in the direction of the top of the 2024 season. Throughout that point, he put up a few of his finest performances of the yr. Wanting ahead to this season, Rodgers ought to open issues up extra for the Steelers as effectively. Final yr, Pittsburgh was hesitant to focus on the center of the sector. It made sense, as neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson was overtly profitable in that space.
Nevertheless, that’s one thing Aaron Rodgers has been capable of do all through his profession. If all the things goes proper, Rodgers may elevate this group considerably. If he can assist convey alongside the youthful items and play like he did to finish the 2024 season, Pittsburgh is getting fairly the cut price.
