While fans may have questions about whether Pittsburgh Steelers star Aaron Rodgers will play in the preseason, one thing is certain: he won't participate in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night. As Rodgers continues to develop a relationship with the Steelers' offense, head coach Mike Tomlin offers some insight into whether the veteran quarterback will play at all in the preseason.
There have been some examples around the league of head coaches not playing their starting quarterbacks throughout the entire preseason. When Tomlin was asked if he would ever consider that, he expressed how that “might” happen this time around due to the immense experience Rodgers has in the NFL, according to the team's website.
“You might be looking at one in 2025,” Tomlin said. “Hey, this guy has been doing this for 21 years. His cumulative snap total and what's required for him to be ready is different than others. And so if I'm not adaptable and open to adjustments relative to the needs of our guys, then I'm not doing my job. And so you might be looking at one of those coaches in 2025.”
Rodgers is getting ready to play his first season with Pittsburgh after the past two seasons being with the New York Jets, which ended up being a far cry from his production in the past with the Green Bay Packers.
Mike Tomlin on being “comfortable” not playing Steelers' Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers' head coach has spoken about Rodgers playing in the preseason before, when it was officially understood that the 41-year-old would not play in the aforementioned preseason opener. Tomlin would go as far as to say that he is “extremely comfortable” with the decision, according to Curt Popejoy of SteelersWire.
“I'm just extremely comfortable with my decision not to play him this week,” Tomlin said.
There could be some fans who question the choice made by Tomlin and the coaching staff since this is Rodgers' first season with his new teammates, and coming late into the offseason program, he'll need as much time with the offense as possible. Especially when it's a game-like situation, but there will be two others after Saturday, though Rodgers will play whenever.
“Aaron Rodgers said he does not believe it’s in the plan for him to play in Jacksonville, but he said he’ll have that conversation with Mike Tomlin soon. He said if Tomlin wants him to play, he’ll play,” Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
At any rate, Rodgers is looking to improve after throwing for 3,897 yards to go along with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024. As for Pittsburgh, the team will try to build off last season, going 10-7, putting them second in the AFC North as they start the season against Rodgers' former team in the Jets, on Sunday, Sept. 7.
