Aaron Rodgers to Sit Out Steelers Preseason Opener
Fans eager to witness Aaron Rodgers in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform will have to hold their excitement a bit longer. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that the veteran quarterback, aged 41, will not play in the team's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, August 9.
“I’ve identified some guys that won’t be playing in this game this week,” Tomlin stated during a media briefing on Thursday, August 7. “It has nothing to do with injury. They need less runway to take off, to be quite honest with you, because of their experience and where they are in their careers. Oftentimes, I preserve them through this process while providing more opportunities for those that need more preparation and more opportunity to display their talents.”
Among the veterans sitting out alongside Rodgers are wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker T.J. Watt, and defensive lineman Cam Heyward. Tomlin's strategy appears focused on balancing the needs of seasoned players with those still vying for roster spots.
Rodgers expressed his support for Tomlin's decision, indicating he is fully aligned with the coach's approach. “I’m totally on board,” he remarked during an interview with 93.7 The Fan just before Tomlin's announcement. “If [Tomlin] wants me to play, I’ll play. If not, then I won’t... Preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don’t really do a lot.”
Despite the absence from the field, Rodgers remains optimistic about the Steelers' offensive progress following some initial challenges during training camp. “Our defense, obviously we added a lot of pieces to it,” he noted. “Always early in camp, with the pads going, the defense seems to have the edge, and then second week, it starts to turn a little bit. So I feel like we’ve been playing better.”
This season marks Rodgers' first with the Steelers after two years with the New York Jets and a storied career with the Green Bay Packers from 2005 to 2022, where he secured a Super Bowl title and four MVP awards.
In a light-hearted moment, Rodgers shared that it was his new sister-in-law who played a role in his decision to join Pittsburgh. “I was taking orders from my sister-in-law, Mia,” he joked in an interview with The Athletic published on August 1. “She’s 20 and she’s the brains of the family; you just have to ask her.”
Rodgers revealed his marriage in June when he was introduced as a member of the Steelers, mentioning he tied the knot “a couple months ago.” The identity of his wife remains undisclosed.
