Rodgers said he will earn leadership role

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He went to a couple of practices, a couple of barbeques and even a golf tournament during his few days in Pittsburgh. It was a time he mostly watched and learned. When Aaron Rodgers starts training camp next month, he tells Pat McAfee it's time to establish himself a leader.

Rodgers arrives with 20 years of NFL experience, four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl championship. It is assumed he will be the leader of the Steelers offense, simply by being the quarterback. There is also the fact the oldest returning offensive player is a decade younger than him.

But being handed that responsibility is not the way Rodgers wants to approach it.

"There is still that part of earning your stripes," Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. "Even though I come in with that past and that background. I think it's important to come in with humility."

While the national media invasion made it quite a stir for that first day of mini-camp earlier this month, Rodgers was actually pretty low key. He went through individual drills during mini-camp at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side and only watched the team reps. He would listen to the speaker in his helmet to hear the communication between the quarterbacks and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but just took it all in. He didn't interject himself into conversations, but would ask questions.

Rodgers told McAfee he wouldn't speak up in group meetings as to not to slow down those conversations. Rather he would talk to quarterbacks coach Tom Arth or Smith privately afterwards to get his questions answered.

When he shows up in Latrobe next month, it will be different. Rodgers won't be taking a back seat. He said he's 100% in for what he is 'pretty sure' is the final season of his career.

"It's exciting to think about what I can throw in there with my energy, enthusiasm and knowledge," Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show.

He doesn't believe he's the only leader, Rodgers said there is already good leadership on offense and first pointed to receiver DK Metcalf. Rodgers told McAfee that Metcalf is a lead-by-example guy. He credited that work, the talks they had before he signed and his talents as a reason he said yes to the Steelers.

"He was like 'I work out at 6a every day'. I was like, ok, he's disciplined," Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. "He's not just a specimen, but he's a really solid human being. He's a solid, solid dude. He leads by example. The way he practices, the room goes how the top dog goes. When DK catches the ball and finishes 60 yards to the end zone, it makes everyone else want to do the same thing."

Rodgers believes there are others who will lead in their own ways. Then there is defensive captain Cam Heyward, who he called the OG of the team. The 41-year-old surpasses Heyward in age, but not in being an example to the rest of the black and gold.

"I love watching his leadership and watching him go about his business," Rodgers told McAfee of Heyward.

Leadership starts with the head coach and Rodgers told McAfee, Mike Tomlin is the biggest reason he's in Pittsburgh this year. He called him a Hall of Famer and one of the coolest guys he's been around. Rodgers enjoyed listening to Tomlin's conversations in meeting rooms and around the team.

Rodgers believes he's in a good situation. He said on the McAfee show he wants to give back to the sport and the specifically this team. He said it's not about him, but he's ready to lead this team into a special year.