LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – It's not what most expected, but Steelers players have described a cool relationship with a first-year Steelers quarterback, and future Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers. On Wednesday Rodgers discussed how his door is always open and he said why it's been fun to work with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
It was described by Smith to 93.7 The Fan a few days ago they are trying to get the veteran quarterback in a comfort zone and willing to change plays and language if needed. It was a similar story from Rodgers before the penultimate practice leading up to the beginning of preseason.
"We sat yesterday for 2.5 hours just talking ball," Rodgers said of a conversation with Smith. "It's not all x's and o's, it's storytelling from time-to-time."
"He's not a rigid guy at all. Anything, ideas I have or ideas receivers are giving to me to give to him, everything is taken into consideration and we are installing it. The last few days we've installed stuff that I've gone back and looked at in the past or other guys have similar ideas."
Rodgers said he has an open forum in his room. Anytime any player wants to come in and suggest something, or get on the same page about something, Rodgers will talk and then take it right to Smith.
"It's an important part of it," Rodgers said. "Just letting those guys know there is no dictatorship here. It's not Art's dictatorship or mine. We want to talk about all the issues and all the things you are seeing."
It doesn't even have to be in person, it can be via a text message. If there is an issue you have or you are seeing, Rodgers said those conversations are critical for the offense to progress.
"Those are invaluable times to get on the same page with the guys because when I'm out there, I don't want anything to be left unsaid," Rodgers said. "So I would rather hit it on the front end and if something happens in practice, hit it on the back end instead of trusting for it to get figured out on its own."
Rodgers said the player who comes to visit the most is receiver Ben Skowronek even with DK Metcalf being his suite mate.
He said Skowronek is so comfortable he doesn't even knock.
As Skowronek was walking by the interview he said 'fake news, I do knock'.
It's being described is a collaborative process and Rodgers said the offense has picked it up the last three or four practices. He believes its usually the case the defense starts stronger, especially an expected top of the NFL defense, but they are coming.
Rodgers said he will leave it up to Mike Tomlin if he plays in the preseason, but feels like they are improving daily as we are 31 stays from the first regular-season game.
