Aaron Rodgers, now entering his 21st season at age 41, is drawing attention as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the upcoming year. The veteran quarterback, who recently overcame a significant injury with his former team, will rely heavily on protection from the offensive line.
Team legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Jerome Bettis addressed this aspect, emphasizing the importance of solid blocking for Rodgers. “If this offensive line can protect Aaron Rodgers, then it gives them a chance to be a really, really, really good offense — hopefully running the football and with some play action behind it,” Bettis said last month via Pro Football Network. He added: “I think it takes a lot of pressure off of Aaron Rodgers to have to be a 30- or 40- pass-a-game guy.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin has been cautious in handling Rodgers during preseason preparations. As reported, Rodgers sat out the first two preseason games and is not expected to play against the Carolina Panthers ahead of the regular season.
Steelers’ first-round pick Broderick Jones commented on the adjustments required for protecting an experienced quarterback like Rodgers. Jones described his experience as “a love-hate relationship,” pointing out that limited reps together can sometimes challenge cohesion within the offensive line. “Because sometimes he’s playing, but everybody’s not on the same page,” Jones said.
Despite these challenges, Jones acknowledged both his responsibility and understanding of his new role. “But it’s also good to have that bond within to have the understanding of ‘Okay, he’s a vet.’ ‘I know everything, let me make sure everybody else is good and then we can carry on with whatever was going on, whatever the situation was.’ Just things like that. But I feel like he has a good sense of who he is and who we’re trying to be and getting us to where we’re trying to go,” he continued.
The Steelers are set to open their season Sept. 9 against Rodgers’ previous team, the New York Jets.
