PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Along with the future of this 2025 Steelers team, the potential end of one of the greatest careers by a quarterback in NFL history is on the horizon Sunday. What Mike Tomlin said about Aaron Rodgers and his importance to the franchise this season?
Then 41-years-old, Rodgers said after signing with the Steelers this was going to be his last season in the NFL. He seemed to leave the door open as he went through training camp & then into the season.
“I don't know that I've taken time to ponder that,” Tomlin said at his weekly news conference Tuesday. “I'm just committed to making sure that it's not.”
In 15 games with the Steelers this season, Rodgers is 9-6 completing 65.6% of his passes for his 15th 3-thousand-yard season (3,028) with 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His quarterback rating this season is 95.3, best since 2021 with Green Bay.
“He's certainly been an awesome contributor to our efforts and not only from a talent perspective and an experienced perspective, but just his professionalism, his relationship with the game, his love for his teammates and his willingness to help them grow and get better and gain better understanding each and every day has been cool to be a part of,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin said his team has benefitted from having Rodgers ‘at every step of the journey’. Not just what he’s done, but how he’s done it. The Steelers head coach added it’s been key to watch how he handled pressure situations.
Rodgers is 11-10 in his postseason career with 45 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, having not won a playoff game since 2020. This franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, but with Rodgers they are a home win against its rival away from a shot to change those numbers.
“I'm not surprised,” Tomlin said. “That's one of the things that made him really attractive to us that can-do attitude and the experience and resume that goes with it.”
“I think it is as natural as breathing. And so, if he's breathing, I expect to see that from him as we lean in on this game.”