PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s why you go out and get a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers had options and decided there was something left in the now 42-year-old. While the road has had potholes, Tomlin believes in having a vet right now.
“It's just value, value that you can measure in having a guy that's been there and done that,” Tomlin said. “It benefits him, benefits us as a collective. I think it raises the tide for the collective.”
He’s played a pair of December games this year, both wins, going 46-61 for 508 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers in wins at Baltimore and over the Dolphins.
In Rodgers career in December
· 44-18 record
· 64.5% completion
· 15,665 yards
· 118 touchdowns
· 29 interceptions
· 252.7 yards per game
It’s been a couple years since Rodgers has played in meaningful games in December. But it’s about a mentality for him, especially when it comes to playing outside in the north and using that to your advantage.
“Nothing changes,” Rodgers said. “It's just that I feel really comfortable in this environment. I feel comfortable in the cold weather, and I've always been able to throw pretty good in the cold over the years in Green Bay.”
“I'm a California kid but always enjoyed playing in the cold weather. Feel like there can be some advantages to the offense, especially when you're playing on a field that's a little beat up or super slick like Green Bay became over the years.”
“I'm gifted with hands that can handle a cold ball, a ball that's a little slick when the weather gets cold like that. Always been able to throw pretty good.”
He’s been ‘pretty good’, there was a question of what was left of his Hall of Fame career. So many stories about the mystic of Aaron Rodgers as it played out mostly on the Pat McAfee Show. But from early in training camp he won over the locker room with how he has approached this season. He not only can give a joke, he can take it. He’s learned the names of not just his teammates, but nearly all the support staff.
You will see him during games get angry with players or coaches, it doesn’t bother these people. They are mostly fine with his frustration because it comes from competitiveness and a desire to be better. Rodgers will hold teammates accountable, but has been quick to point blame at himself for mistakes as well. He’s built a trust with the offense not seen in Pittsburgh since Ben Roethlisberger.
“I was on the team when he won back-to-back MVPs,” said receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling referring to being teammates with Rodgers in Green Bay. “To watch him relive those days and still make the same checks I saw him make, getting guys in the right spots. Getting guys open to throw them the ball and get the ball down the field. It’s important, love to see it.”
“There's just certain conversations and things that you don't even worry about,” Tomlin said. “You know, we had a significant possession down late in that game (Monday). He affords us an opportunity to run a misdirection pass, and you don't even have to tell him, hey, don’t throw an incompletion, take a sack because we want the clock running.”
“He knows that. He's lived that life. And so that's just one small example, but there's countless examples of benefits of having a guy with his level of experience, the quality of that experience, particularly this time of year as the road gets narrow.”
“We know what Aaron can do,” said running back Kenneth Gainwell. “His age might say a number, but he’s still Aaron Rodgers at the end of the day.”
“I think he’s the best quarterback to ever play this game,” Valdes-Scantling said. “No matter if he’s 65 years-old or not, he can still spin the ball. He’s always playing chess with the defense and getting guys into spots that are going to get them open. I’m honored to be on his team again.”
It’s a common feeling among teammates, not the honor of playing with him as much as the belief in him. Stakes are highest and through a couple of games this month, Rodgers is playing at a high level.