With coaching camp underway, we’re not too far-off from preseason motion. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are a variety of issues to observe throughout their three-game slate. Whereas he’s already assured a beginning position, Aaron Rodgers’ enjoying time within the preseason shall be one thing to observe monitor.
“I’m informed that he’s expressed a willingness to play within the preseason. However they’re actually simply enjoying it by ear,” NFL insider Lindsey Thiry stated Thursday on ESPN’s NFL Stay. “They wish to follow. As you heard earlier than, Mike Tomlin has stated he’s a workaholic. However they wanna do no matter they’ll to get him prepared, no matter he feels he must prepare, that’s what they’re going to do. So there’s no agency plan in place proper now.”
When it comes to Rodgers’ workload this season, Tomlin stated he has no reservations, seemingly making it considerably as much as Rodgers as to how a lot he’ll be enjoying earlier than the common season begins.
Rodgers turns 42 in December and has been within the NFL longer than some Steelers followers have been alive. That stated, there are causes he may wish to play within the preseason, even when it’s just a bit. Whereas his age factors to a ton of expertise, it additionally means he may have some reps to get snug enjoying competitively once more. Particularly with an Achilles harm within the rearview mirror, some additional reps may actually assist.
Earlier than the 2023 season with the Jets, Aaron Rodgers did see a fraction of time within the preseason. He performed 10 snaps that yr, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. Throughout his time with the Packers, Rodgers didn’t take any preseason snaps from 2019-2022. In 2018 he performed six snaps, and in 2019 he noticed a extra sizeable share of 26.
Thiry mentions that there isn’t a plan proper now for Rodgers, so there may be the prospect he doesn’t play within the preseason in any respect. If he does, it possible received’t be greater than a drive or two. For gamers his age, it makes extra sense to get as a lot relaxation as potential forward of the 17-game common season, and there’s little cause to threat an harm.
On the quarterback place, there’s a number of gamers who may actually use these snaps as nicely. The Steelers know what they’ve in Mason Rudolph, however Skylar Thompson and Will Howard ought to every see loads of time. Howard is a rookie, so the sixth-round draft wants that point to be evaluated. And the Steelers have by no means seen Thompson in sport motion, the veteran with them this offseason after a pair years with the Miami Dolphins. With these two battling for the third quarterback spot, every will see far more motion than Rodgers and Rudolph.
Even when Rodgers performs within the preseason, he received’t see a ton of snaps. Nonetheless, there’s an opportunity Steelers followers get their first take a look at Rodgers in sport motion earlier than Week 1.
