The Pittsburgh Steelers landed their quarterback just a few weeks ago, and now the franchise is all in on chasing a Super Bowl in 2025.
Aaron Rodgers has fully bought into life with the Steelers and is loving the time he’s spending with teammates at training camp.
Those around him are getting to know his playstyle and the way he practices, and the fans at the facility are repeatedly chanting his name.
TJ Watt and Cam Heyward caught up with Pat McAfee live from training camp to share what they’ve learned about their veteran quarterback so far.
TJ Watt on Aaron Rodgers’ presence and what he brings to the Steelers training camp
This Pittsburgh Steelers team is, in theory, capable of making a run in the playoffs in 2025.
Pittsburgh was 10-3 at one point in the 2024 season, while using a blend of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at quarterback. They lost the final four games of the regular season, and then faded in a playoff game against the division rival Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens had neutralized the Steelers’ run game, with the team totaling just 29 yards on the ground. Even still, Russell Wilson threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to pull out a result on the road.
This year, the Steelers have done everything they can to prepare the roster for a single-season push with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
They traded for DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith, while also signing TJ Watt to an extension and bringing in veteran cornerback Darius Slay.
Pittsburgh are then hoping to see multiple rookies play a role early on, including first round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, and running back Kaleb Johnson, who will replace Najee Harris in the backfield.
The team believes they are in a position to win, even in a loaded AFC North and challenging playoff picture in the AFC Conference.
TJ Watt has been getting to know what it’s like to face Aaron Rodgers on a daily basis, and shared a little insight into the way he challenges the defense:
“It’s frustrating because he talks a lot of smack. He really does. I think a lot of the no-look passes are things we’re getting used to. I like to bat down a lot of passes at the line of scrimmage, and he’s able to manipulate the defense good, that’s been very frustrating…”
Cam Heyward then stepped in too, saying:
“The thing he does better than anybody, he knows how to abuse the play clock. We have it out there at practice, it’s ridiculous but it’s going to make us better.”
Heyward went on to commend Rodgers for the way he goes about his work, while organizing night meetings and asking the defensive guys questions about the Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets.
Pat McAfee then stepped in, suggesting that the narrative is Rodgers is a terrible teammate, according to everybody but his teammates.
Peter Schrager suggested there is something different about the Steelers this season
Earlier in the week, NFL analyst Peter Schrager suggested that Aaron Rodgers interview with McAfee and the vibe around the training facility in general felt different.
In comparison to previous years at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, there appears to be more optimism. The players are having a great time, and the fans are in full support of Rodgers as he heads into what is expected to be his final season in the league.
In a post on X, Schrager said:
“After today’s @PatMcAfeeShow showcase, hard not to feel the vibes in Pittsburgh are at least a little different than previous summers in Latrobe. Rodgers’ reverence and respect for Tomlin is through the roof; the other players’ for Rodgers is as well. I’m high on Pitt this year.”
Rodgers had said he was loving the experience of sharing a room with a teammate and spending evenings getting to know them better, rather than just going home at the end of a day’s camp.
The Steelers are just weeks away from opening their season against the New York Jets, and they’ll be looking to get off to a good start against Rodgers’ former team.
