Aaron Rodgers has been in Pittsburgh for less than three months. However, the veteran quarterback has wasted no time making his mark in the Steelers locker room. From joking with young defenders to organizing offseason trips for his receivers, Rodgers has focused on forging relationships that could prove just as important as his arm strength this season. That effort even stretched to the basketball court, where NBA star Kevin Durant offered his help in bringing Rodgers closer to his new teammates.
Rodgers invited a group of Steelers pass catchers to Malibu this summer. There, they worked out together, shared meals, and even stopped by a private gym session. Durant offered pointers to wide receiver Ben Skowronek on his jump shot. It blended two worlds of professional sports while helping break the ice between Rodgers and his new targets. The time together paid off, according to the players, who said the trip helped remove nerves and build trust.
“He welcomed us into his house and to his gym that he works out at,” wideout Scotty Miller said. “He was just open with us, and he was who he was, he wasn't trying to be anybody else, and we all just appreciated that. It was a great start to our relationship with him.”
The Steelers needed Aaron Rodgers to bond with teammates
Rodgers’ emphasis on connection has extended far beyond star receivers. He has been seen stretching alongside rookies, chatting with defensive backs, and joking with practice squad players during camp. For the 41-year-old, it is all part of a larger plan to lead by serving and showing younger teammates that their contributions matter.
That approach has already softened skeptics. Safety DeShon Elliott, who once called Rodgers better suited for a “retirement home,” apologized after getting to know the quarterback.
“When he got here, we communicated, we talked, he's a great person and a great football player,” Elliott said. “I respect him a lot. I told him that I respect him, and I apologized to him for the things I was saying about him. Honestly, he's a great man, and he has a great heart. So, I appreciate him and he's funny as hell.”
The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and Rodgers’ ability to change that will depend as much on chemistry as it does on execution. His partnership with Durant may have started as a basketball cameo, but it underscored a deeper truth. Rodgers knows this Steelers team will only go as far as its unity carries it.
