Not each media member is satisfied that Aaron Rodgers’ pairing with the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be a practice wreck on or off the sector. Weighing in on Monday, ESPN analyst Mike Greenberg, a New York Jets fan who watched Rodgers final season, supplied some of the optimistic visions for the way this season will look.
“The superior statistics say Aaron Rodgers was a nasty quarterback final yr,” Greenberg mentioned on Get Up. “My eyes mentioned in any other case. Watching each snap of the crew the second half of the season, I didn’t assume Rodgers was dangerous.”
ESPN’s QBR metric, a extra superior QB ranking determine that’s extra weighted past mixture numbers, ranked Rodgers simply twenty eighth final season. He trailed the likes of Kirk Cousins, Aidan O’Connell, and then-Steelers’ starter Russell Wilson. However Rodgers’ high line numbers have been extra spectacular, throwing for simply shy of three,900-yards and 28 touchdowns. Wholesome down the stretch, his play was even stronger and completed with a four-touchdown displaying in a win over the Miami Dolphins.
In New York, Rodgers was the face. Traded over from the Inexperienced Bay Packers because the franchise’s greatest quarterback since Joe Namath. He instantly vaulted the Jets into the Tremendous Bowl dialog. In Pittsburgh, the stress is off.
“Aaron Rodgers doesn’t must be the face of the franchise,” Greenberg mentioned. “He doesn’t have to hold all the things. They’re not asking him easy methods to educate younger gamers easy methods to win.”
Rodgers gained’t have as excessive expectations in Pittsburgh. Partly as a result of the final two seasons have been so disappointing. A 2023 Achilles’ tear 4 performs into the yr, a 2024 season the place the teaching employees and entrance workplace got pink slips, with Rodgers himself launched underneath the Jets’ new regime. Nonetheless, Greenberg’s level isn’t absolutely correct. Rodgers is commanding a younger offense searching for management. Pittsburgh has it defensively, however has lacked offensively. A bunch that hasn’t performed a lot profitable on the NFL degree, at the least not the sort within the postseason. Rodgers is meant to assist, and he’s publicly embraced the position.
All that issues are outcomes. Greenberg says Rodgers will ship.
“I feel that is going to go manner higher than most individuals are anticipating,” he mentioned. “I feel he’s going to play effectively and the Steelers are going to win a bunch of video games.”
“Bunch of video games” isn’t clearly outlined, and to a Jets fan like Greenberg, that might imply ten. New York hasn’t gained that many since 2015. Over the identical span, Pittsburgh has matched or overwhelmed that mark six instances.
It’s an aggressive and optimistic big-picture view, however one that might come true. If the Steelers’ offensive line develops and protects, if the offense leads with a gentle working sport, and if the protection returns to kind, Rodgers can play his position and thrive. That check begins September 7 towards his former crew.
