Aaron Rodgers Admits Steelers’ Offensive Struggles: ‘I Don’t Have Anyone to Throw To’
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The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 2-1 to start the season, but questions continue to surround the offense despite the early wins. With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers now under center, expectations were sky-high, yet the results have been uneven through the first three weeks.
Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger recently suggested that Pittsburgh is too hesitant to take shots downfield, claiming it forces quarterbacks to hold the ball longer. Rodgers addressed that critique directly, offering a measured response:
“I can play better, for sure,” Rodgers admitted, via the Associated Press. “Sometimes you just have to take what the defense gives you and be comfortable with that. Some of our best plays are just getting the ball into our playmakers’ hands and letting them go. So I just need to be disciplined like I usually am and get the ball to the guys.”
Rodgers looked like his old self in Week 1, throwing for 244 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the New York Jets. But the following two weeks told a different story – three interceptions and struggles to generate consistent rhythm. Overall, he’s completed just over 60% of his passes, and Pittsburgh’s offense ranks near the bottom of the league in both total yards and rushing production.
According to ESPN stats, the Steelers currently sit 30th in the NFL in yards per game and 31st in rushing yards. Their next challenge is a Minnesota Vikings defense that ranks third in the league against the pass, allowing just 141.3 yards per game.
Still, Rodgers isn’t panicking. Instead, he focused on the bigger picture. “We’re figuring it out,” he said. “It hasn’t been the prettiest at times. But the good thing is, our defense played the way they want to play last week, and we made just enough plays to win. So at this point, it’s about winning. The chemistry is there, the continuity, the belief in each other is there. It’s just going out and executing.”
That belief was on display in the Week 3 victory over New England, when the Steelers’ defense forced five turnovers to carry the team to a 21-14 win. If Rodgers and his unit can clean up mistakes, Pittsburgh could head into its bye week at 3-1 with momentum.