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Behind the Steel Curtain fantasy football takes on Aaron Rodgers
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Behind the Steel Curtain about Aaron Rodgers.
80
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39
Positive
28
Negative
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All Behind the Steel Curtain insights about Aaron Rodgers
NegativeProjectionOct 27, 2026
Aaron Rodgers, soon to be 43 years old, was not yet born during the 1979-1980 Cardiac Kids era of Steelers-Browns rivalry; the source uses this as context to illustrate that no current Steelers roster player has personal memory of that historic period.PositiveRoleOct 27, 2026
At 42 years old with diminished athleticism, Rodgers is a shell of his former self, but he's executing Mike McCarthy's in-game adjustments effectively and making key plays when needed. He shifted to a shorter passing game in Week 6 at Tampa Bay and scrambled for crucial first downs late in games, including an 8-yard run in the final minutes against New Orleans that buried the Saints. The Steelers' offensive strategy has adapted to carry Rodgers rather than rely on him to carry the team, yet his willingness to accept adjustments and execute them as intended has been a key difference in Pittsburgh's recent success.PositiveProjectionOct 26, 2026
Rodgers continues to be efficient while adding explosiveness to the Steelers' offense. His best play came on 3rd-and-14 when he escaped pressure, ran left, and uncorked a 51-yard moon ball to DK Metcalf inside the five-yard line. He also executed an eight-yard scramble on third down late in the game to help run out the clock. Though not his most impressive stat line, his 30 passing attempts were the fewest of the season as Pittsburgh controlled the clock with the running game. Rodgers maneuvered the pocket better than he has all season and continues to put the Steelers offense in positions to win.NegativeProjectionOct 26, 2026
Rodgers is both the best quarterback the team has had during the 2020s and a cap on their ceiling; while capable of flashes (19-of-30 completion, key plays to DK Metcalf and Darnell Washington), the offense lacks consistency and explosive output. Of 19 completions, 10 were for gains under seven yards; several vertical attempts were uncatchable; he checked down to Brandon Smith for only four yards with no timeouts and 30 seconds left in the half, then took a sack. The source notes Rodgers' down-to-down rollercoaster product makes the game-day experience frustrating; while he can squeak out close wins, creating explosive plays is now as important as winning the turnover battle, and once the playoffs arrive, the Steelers' shrinking margin for error becomes critical. The Saints are not a good defense, yet the Steelers managed just a few explosive passes and only one touchdown.PositiveUsageOct 25, 2026
On the Steelers' biggest play of the game—a 3rd-and-14 conversion—Aaron Rodgers extended the play and found DK Metcalf for a 51-yard completion, which set up the Darnell Washington touchdown. Post-game, Rodgers acknowledged the offense left points on the board by settling for field goals in two red-zone drives and another drive that reached the Saints' 29-yard line, indicating missed scoring opportunities despite the efficient third-down performance.NegativeProjectionOct 25, 2026
Rodgers was visibly upset on the sidelines in the fourth quarter after having to settle for the Steelers' third field goal of the game. The source notes that while the offense put itself in scoring positions, the inability to convert field goals into touchdowns will be a concern if the Steelers want to seriously compete down the stretch of the season.PositiveProjectionOct 25, 2026
Rodgers threw his 540th career touchdown pass, moving him ahead of Peyton Manning into third place on the all-time list; this milestone achievement underscores his sustained elite production and durability at the quarterback position.NegativeProjectionOct 25, 2026
Rodgers passed Peyton Manning on the all-time touchdown passes list in Week 7 vs. the Saints, reaching 540 career TDs and moving into third place all-time. He trails Drew Brees (second place) by 31 touchdowns and Tom Brady's all-time record of 649.NegativeMatchupOct 24, 2026
Aaron Rodgers has faced more single-high coverage looks than any other NFL quarterback and has the lowest EPA per play against single-high coverage (min. 25 dropbacks); this context is relevant for the Steelers facing the Saints, who show single-high at the second-highest rate in the NFL behind only the Browns, suggesting the Steelers' passing game must execute plays over the middle to succeed.PositiveProjectionOct 24, 2026
Aaron Rodgers over 0.5 rushing yards at -140 odds is recommended as a prop bet despite his minimal season rushing total of 19 yards. Rodgers has shown consistent weekly rushing output (five yards Week 2, ten yards Week 3, six yards Week 5), and the Saints' pass rush led by Chase Young may force him to scramble for breathing room, particularly in victory formation situations.PositiveProjectionOct 23, 2026
Rodgers has shown increasing trust in rookie Germie Bernard over recent weeks, praising his growing confidence and stating "There comes a time when the confidence starts to match the potential, and I think we're reaching that time with Germie." The veteran QB continues to pepper Bernard with targets and has generated 233 passing attempts through six weeks (5th most in the league), providing ample volume for Bernard's role in the short and intermediate passing game.NegativeRoleOct 23, 2026
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers expressed preference for earlier travel to Paris, stating he has played in three countries and each time the team left on Thursday evening; he would have preferred to arrive Monday like the Saints to better adjust to the time change ahead of the international game vs. New Orleans.NegativeMatchupOct 22, 2026
Washington gives Rodgers a big target in the quick passing game that can work as a substitute for the running game against stout defenses; Washington didn't blow up the box score but provides a reliable outlet for short-range passing concepts.PositiveProjectionOct 20, 2026
Rodgers' overall Week 7 performance was mixed: he had negative EPA per play and a very low 3.91-yard average depth of target, yet rallied in overtime (6 for 7, 51 yards and a TD). Frank Schwab notes Rodgers is below average across the board in his age-42 season despite the Steelers' 4-2 record, highlighting the disconnect between team success and individual quarterback efficiency.PositiveProjectionOct 20, 2026
Rodgers struggled for 50 minutes and three quarters, generating only three points through the first three and a half quarters with an early interception, but led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter and overtime with all five drives in that span ending with points; finished with 253 yards and two scores. The source notes he stepped up in the clutch and kept the Steelers in position to win despite five sacks largely attributed to his lack of mobility.PositiveProjectionOct 19, 2026
Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime in the Steelers' comeback win over Tampa Bay, reaching 255 games with a TD pass (regular season and postseason combined), passing Peyton Manning for the fourth-most all-time. He now trails only Tom Brady (333), Brett Favre (271), and Drew Brees (268).PositiveRoleOct 19, 2026
Rodgers threw the game-winning touchdown to Germie Bernard in overtime, leading the Steelers' 12-play drive to victory after overcoming a 16-3 deficit. He executed multiple goal-line plays including a jump ball to DK Metcalf on 3rd-and-goal.PositiveProjectionOct 18, 2026
Rodgers led a franchise-record fourth-quarter comeback from a 16-3 deficit, finishing 33-of-49 for 253 yards and two touchdowns plus one interception. He orchestrated scoring drives on every possession in the fourth quarter and overtime, including an eight-play TD drive to Darnell Washington and a 12-play OT drive capped by Germie Bernard's game-winning touchdown, demonstrating clutch execution and offensive rhythm after three quarters of stagnation.NegativeMatchupOct 16, 2026
Against Tampa Bay's blitz-heavy Cover-3 defense, Rodgers should avoid holding the ball long; the Bucs create pressure quickly (2.45 seconds average) but struggle to convert it into sacks (28th in league with 6 sacks). Quick passing concepts and seam attacks via tight ends or slot receivers can exploit the underneath coverage gaps.PositiveProjectionOct 13, 2026
Rodgers finished 22-of-31 for 235 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis, marking his third straight game with three or more touchdown passes, tying a franchise record held by Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. The source notes this is the first time since December 2021 that Rodgers has thrown for three or more touchdown passes in three consecutive contests. He was decisive, used the entire field, protected the ball, and moved around the pocket effectively despite the Colts' weak pass rush.PositiveProjectionOct 13, 2026
Rodgers threw three touchdowns for the third consecutive game in Week 5 win over Colts, surpassing Peyton Manning for third-most all-time TD passes (582). Despite career-worst 59.8% completion percentage and 88.9 passer rating, his production at age 43 is historic: 1,234 passing yards and 10 touchdowns through five starts, with Steelers winning three of those games—more wins than every other QB at his age combined except Tom Brady. Frank Schwab notes this season is already historic for his age regardless of remaining outcomes.PositiveProjectionOct 13, 2026
Aaron Rodgers posted 235 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions against the Colts' undermanned pass rush in Week 5. However, he has adopted a gunslinger approach recently, accumulating nine touchdowns and three interceptions over his last three games, suggesting elevated volatility despite the strong single-game performance.PositiveProjectionOct 13, 2026
Rodgers had a strong game with 235 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Steelers. Against an undermanned Colts pass rush, he unsurprisingly looked better than usual, but has taken a bit of a gunslinger approach as of late this season, now with nine interceptions.PositiveProjectionOct 12, 2026
Over the last three weeks, Rodgers ranks 13th in EPA per play among all quarterbacks with 10+ snaps, ahead of Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford; he has thrown nine touchdown passes (most in the league since Week 3) and accumulated 827 yards (seventh in the league). The source notes this performance contradicts the narrative that Rodgers is too old to lead a team to relevancy, and credits the Steelers' ground-game dominance and Warren's dual-threat role with keeping Rodgers clean and enabling his efficiency.PositiveProjectionOct 11, 2026
Rodgers completed 22-of-31 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-22 win over the Colts, extending his streak to three consecutive games with three or more touchdowns—tying the Steelers franchise record previously held only by Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. With this performance, Rodgers surpassed Peyton Manning for most touchdown passes in the regular season and postseason combined (582 total), and improved to 166 career wins as a starter, breaking a tie with Roethlisberger for fifth all-time. He is five wins away from tying Drew Brees' record.PositiveProjectionOct 11, 2026
Rodgers has thrown for 3+ touchdowns in three straight games for the first time since December 2021, demonstrating sustained elite performance. He started Week 5 11-of-11 before his first incompletion, showcasing precision. Over the last three weeks, the Steelers offense has looked significantly better than at season start, with Rodgers undoubtedly a huge part of their success.PositiveProjectionOct 11, 2026
Rodgers had a strong performance going 22-of-31 for 235 yards and three touchdowns, marking the third straight game in which he threw for at least three scores, which ties a Steelers franchise record.PositiveMatchupOct 11, 2026
The Colts' pass rush has the league's worst pressure rate this season, which is a good sign for Rodgers playing comfortably in the pocket on Sunday. Additionally, the source trusts Rodgers more than Daniel Jones in nearly every situation, and notes that Rodgers gets the ball out fast, which could neutralize the Pittsburgh pass rush.PositiveMatchupOct 8, 2026
Steelers QB success in the passing game has correlated to reps where Aaron Rodgers has felt especially comfortable in the pocket; the Colts' weak pass rush (league-worst 25.5% QB pressure rate, second-longest time to pressure at 2.88 seconds) creates a favorable environment for Rodgers to operate, though Colts DC Lou Anarumo's creative blitz schemes (5th in 6-man blitz rate at 19%) may test Pittsburgh's young offensive line.NegativeProjectionOct 7, 2026
The source states that Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have to figure out the Steelers' offensive issues, noting there is no reason for more anemic passing offenses in the NFL to be ahead of the Steelers; the team is 32nd in the NFL with 50.6% of pass plays going for zero yards or fewer.NegativeProjectionOct 7, 2026
Rodgers is completing just 24% of his passes of 20+ yards (26th ranked) and 33.3% of his passes of 15+ air yards (30th ranked), indicating significant ineffectiveness on deep attempts. The source argues the Steelers should pivot away from this ineffective approach and instead lean into play action (ranked 3rd in EPA per pass at +0.42) and the running game (8th in yards per carry at 4.4), as the alternative spread-out shotgun approach has been far worse. All five sacks in Week 4 came from shotgun looks, compounding the inefficiency.NegativeProjectionOct 7, 2026
At 42 years old, Rodgers is no longer able to play like he did during his prime; asking a passer of that age to throw the ball 41.8 times per game (68.4% pass rate) is asking to write checks that his body can no longer cash. Rodgers is completing just 24% of his passes of 20+ yards (26th in league) and 33.3% of passes of 15+ air yards (30th), while the Steelers lead the league in 20+ air yard attempts (25) and rank third in 15+ air yard attempts (36). The source argues the Steelers should ease Rodgers' load with a stronger running game and more play action passes rather than continuing a pass-dominant approach that doesn't match his current capabilities or the roster's strengths.NegativeProjectionOct 6, 2026
Aaron Rodgers' performance has been inconsistent and concerning for fantasy purposes. His deep throws wobble, his mobility is completely shot, and while he showed flashes of stellar play in the second half of Week 4 against Cleveland, the Steelers need him to be consistent—which he has not been. At 42 years old, his ceiling is not very high; the offense's upside is limited with him at quarterback. Through four weeks, Rodgers and the passing attack have been inconsistent, with 167 dropbacks compared to just 86 rushing attempts, putting too much burden on an aging arm. The relationship between Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy has also soured, with the two caught in a profane on-field exchange.PositiveProjectionOct 5, 2026
In Week 4 loss to Cleveland, Rodgers led consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter while down 14 points, giving the Steelers a chance to win despite the final 27-24 defeat; demonstrates late-game performance capability heading into Week 5 home matchup against Indianapolis.NegativeProjectionOct 5, 2026
Mixed performance in Week 4 loss to Cleveland: strong fourth quarter with two touchdown passes and impressive quarterback sneak on 2-point conversion, but failed to pull the trigger on two critical throws to DK Metcalf that would have changed the game outcome. Held the ball too long, contributing to five sacks taken and ten hits. Lack of mobility at age 37 puts Steelers in tough situations against blitz-heavy teams like Cleveland; simultaneously digging team out of holes he creates. Graded C+ to C by source.NegativeRoleOct 2, 2026
Rodgers expressed frustration with play-calling speed during the Steelers' first drive against Cleveland, shouting at head coach Mike McCarthy on a hot mic: 'What the f—k! Call it!' The incident highlights communication friction between quarterback and coaching staff, though McCarthy later regretted the verbal exchange and the two reconciled after Rodgers executed a successful two-point conversion sneak.NegativeProjectionOct 2, 2026
Rodgers had several critical misses that severely impacted the Steelers' loss to Cleveland. In the third quarter, he had DK Metcalf wide open for what would have been an easy deep touchdown pass but didn't see it and checked down to Ben Skowronek instead. On the final play, Rodgers forced a ball to Roman Wilson that was intercepted and sealed the game, when Metcalf was open again and would have allowed a 52-yard field goal attempt to send the game to overtime.PositiveProjectionOct 2, 2026
Rodgers led a gutsy fourth-quarter comeback from a 24-10 deficit, delivering a strike to Washington in the end zone and a touchdown on a bootleg to Freiermuth, then executing a successful 2-point conversion sneak. Despite showing age in the pocket and taking a serious beating with 5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits, Rodgers kept the Steelers alive and tied the game with over a minute remaining.NegativeProjectionOct 2, 2026
At 42, Rodgers showed regression concerns despite a few perfect deep throws; he looked unsettled under pressure with pocket reactions a tick or two late, repeatedly moved into rushers, threw into questionable coverage, missed seeing open receivers, and missed high and low. The source notes his late-game explosion felt more like Ben Roethlisberger's last gasps of brilliance in 2020–2021 than a modern offense. While Rodgers was sacked five times and faced 73% man coverage, he shoulders plenty of blame on sacks and incompletions. The source concludes Rodgers might've been the best QB option available but is capping the offense's potential.NegativeProjectionOct 2, 2026
Rodgers finished 22-of-40 for 299 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs in a loss to Cleveland; allowed five sacks by the Steelers' offensive line; had his best game of the season with DK Metcalf (5 catches, 115 yards combined) but two interceptions, including a final heave picked off by Grant Delpit to seal the 27-24 loss, underscore offensive line vulnerability and late-game execution issues.NegativeProjectionSep 30, 2026
Despite the Week 3 victory, Rodgers ranks 33rd in EPA per dropback at minus-0.26, indicating underlying efficiency concerns. Chad Graff and Josh Kendall note he hasn't been great overall, though the Steelers' offense has been hampered by six drops (third most in the league), suggesting some of the struggles aren't entirely on Rodgers.PositiveProjectionSep 30, 2026
After an ugly start to the season, Rodgers went throw-for-throw with Joe Burrow in Week 3 against Cincinnati, posting 292 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-27 victory. Ralph Vacchiano noted this performance "wasn't on anybody's Bingo card" given Rodgers' age and early-season struggles. Rodgers showed the Steelers' offense had finally come to life after scoring only 16 points through the first two weeks.PositiveProjectionSep 30, 2026
Elite decision-maker at the line of scrimmage capable of deciphering defenses as well as anyone; despite being 42 years old and playing behind an offensive line lacking cohesion, Rodgers can still outplay the opposition on any given day. Over the next five games before the bye, Rodgers faces four quarterbacks (Deshaun Watson twice, Daniel Jones, Jalon Daniels, Tyler Shough) where the tape favors Pittsburgh. Through three games, Rodgers owns a 58.4 completion percentage and four touchdowns with only two interceptions; played one of his best games as a Steeler in the 30-27 victory over the Bengals with 292 yards and three touchdowns for his 100th career win with Mike McCarthy.PositiveProjectionSep 30, 2026
Rodgers is averaging 2.89 seconds to throw this season, but received elite pass protection against the Bengals last week when that figure ballooned to 3.19 seconds. The source notes Rodgers was arguably given some of the best pass protection in his time with the Steelers. If the Steelers offensive line can replicate that performance against Cleveland—which gives opposing QBs longer time to throw—Rodgers should have plenty of time in the pocket.PositiveProjectionSep 29, 2026
Rodgers delivered one of his best performances in a Steelers uniform in Week 3 against Cincinnati, finishing tied for eighth in EPA per play among quarterbacks with nearly 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. The source notes that had a pass not bounced off Roman Wilson's hands for an interception, his stat line would have been nearly perfect. Both graders awarded him an A grade, emphasizing this was the type of consistent, high-level performance expected from the veteran quarterback.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Quarterback showed improvement in Week 3 against Cincinnati, posting a 3.19-second average time to throw—the longest of his Steelers career—while maintaining strong pass protection numbers. In two of the Steelers' three games this season, Rodgers has largely played well and done a better job pushing the ball downfield and extending plays than he did in most of 2025. However, Max Iheanachor notes there was still quite a bit of meat left on the bone in the passing game, with at least two explosive plays to wide-open receivers missed from a clean pocket.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Dramatic improvement in pass protection: dropped from fourth-most pressured QB in NFL (Weeks 1–2) to ninth-lowest pressured of 30 qualified QBs in Week 3 despite facing Bengals' fourth-ranked sack defense. With clean pocket, averaged 8.34 yards per attempt (ninth in league); two of three TDs were deep balls (20+ yards). Steelers' offensive line overhaul enabled downfield aggression.PositiveProjectionSep 27, 2026
After Mike McCarthy replaced Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook with Brock Hoffman and rookie Max Iheanachor, Rodgers posted a career-high 3.19 seconds to throw as a Steeler and launched 15 passes of 10+ yards downfield—the most he's ever had in a Steelers uniform. This efficiency spike came after Rodgers was pressured 37 times (fourth-most in NFL) over the first two weeks, demonstrating the offensive line overhaul's immediate impact on his performance.PositiveProjectionSep 27, 2026
Rodgers delivered a vintage performance in Week 3 against Cincinnati, completing 19 of 34 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He connected with Roman Wilson on a 38-yard TD to open the scoring, found Ben Skowronek on a 23-yard TD via play-action, and threw a third TD to DK Metcalf in the third quarter after a defensive collision left Metcalf wide open. The Steelers' offense erupted for 411 yards after scoring just 16 points in Weeks 1–2, signaling a major uptick in offensive efficiency and Rodgers' ability to execute in a shootout environment.NegativeInjurySep 26, 2026
Aaron Rodgers was battered in the Steelers loss to the Patriots, taking 4 sacks, 2 fumbles, and 1 interception. The source raises a direct durability concern: confidence level in Rodgers playing to the end of his last season is questioned in light of this physical punishment.NegativeMatchupSep 26, 2026
Steelers QB facing Bengals' revamped defense in Week 3; source notes Rodgers' offensive performance has been less than inspiring through two weeks and will need to improve against Cincinnati's strong defensive front.NegativeMatchupSep 25, 2026
42-year-old veteran quarterback has taken multiple big hits through two games despite missing only one game last season; Steelers' offensive line protection has been problematic, allowing 29 pressures and six sacks through two games; team is 30th in total offense (278.5 yards) under new offensive line coach James Campen and head coach Mike McCarthy.PositiveProjectionSep 25, 2026
Rodgers' performance through two weeks has drawn criticism about the viability of his tenure with Pittsburgh. Ralph Vacchiano (FOX Sports) stated: "If that's the way Aaron Rodgers is going to play, his last ride might be a short one." The source cites specific performance concerns: two fumbles in Sunday's defeat, completion of just 8 of 24 attempts (33%) on 31 dropbacks under pressure with six sacks, career-low 50% completion rate against the blitz, and career-worst 30.4% off-target percentage on blitz throws. At 42 years old, decreased mobility has compounded pressure management issues. Additionally, the Steelers have produced only one offensive touchdown in eight quarters under McCarthy's aggressive passing approach (65% pass rate despite not being in pass-only situations), and Rodgers' inaccuracy under pressure has been a primary factor in the offense's dysfunction.NegativeMatchupSep 25, 2026
Rodgers was sacked four times in the prior week and the Steelers' run game stalled, prompting the team to evaluate offensive line changes. Pittsburgh faces Cincinnati in Week 3, a defense ranked ninth in the NFL in pressure rate, which poses continued risk to the current starting offensive line.NegativeProjectionSep 24, 2026
42-year-old Aaron Rodgers has been sacked six times and pressured on 29 drop-backs through two games behind a structurally unstable offensive line; the source warns that time is ticking on how long Rodgers can hold up and prevent getting hurt after taking nasty hits against the Patriots, with better defenses awaiting in the following weeks.NegativeRoleSep 23, 2026
The source characterizes the notion of bringing Rodgers back for another year as 'misguided,' suggesting that while McCarthy's hiring may have been partly motivated by the possibility of re-signing Rodgers, the actual strategic intent was always about developing the next quarterback rather than competing immediately with Rodgers. This frames Rodgers' potential return as a distraction from the Steelers' true rebuild trajectory.NegativeProjectionSep 23, 2026
At 42 years old, Rodgers is not the mobile or accurate-under-pressure passer he once was; the source notes he left high-level plays on the table Sunday that a younger version might have made, though Rodgers is not identified as the main problem in the offense through two weeks. The source also notes Rodgers has long liked to dice up defenses based on pre-snap alignments, but the league has moved past that in many ways with sim pressures and ambiguous defensive fronts.NegativeUsageSep 23, 2026
Sacked four times in Week 2, indicating significant pass protection breakdowns on the Steelers offensive line; this usage metric reflects the team's bottom-five rushing yards and worst-in-league -0.26 average yards before contact per rush.PositiveProjectionSep 23, 2026
Despite the Steelers' 20-3 loss to New England and ranking 31st in scoring with a dead-last offensive success rate, ESPN Steelers Behind Jordan Rodgers (Aaron's brother) argues that Aaron Rodgers was "very accurate down the field" in Week 1, with incomplete passes stemming from drops and missed calls rather than poor execution. Jordan Rodgers frames the Steelers' offensive struggles as a "feeling out process" between Rodgers and McCarthy in their second iteration together, suggesting the offense will improve with time as they develop chemistry and identify their identity.NegativeProjectionSep 22, 2026
Rodgers has posted -42.12 EPA through two weeks, the worst mark of any quarterback in the NFL; he ranks 31st in EPA per play and 24th in success rate when pressured. While his offensive line and top receiver have underperformed, his lackluster individual play cannot be excused. The veteran is not watchable right now and represents a significant part of the Steelers' offensive dysfunction.NegativeMatchupSep 22, 2026
Rodgers and the Steelers offense struggled to move the ball downfield against the Patriots' stout defense in Week 2, falling to 1-1. Now facing the red-hot 2-0 Bengals at home in AFC North play, the source notes Rodgers and the offense have a new challenge ahead this week.NegativeUsageSep 21, 2026
Rodgers was sacked four times and pressured on 17 snaps against New England, with the Steelers averaging just 3.5 yards per play; he was constantly under siege in the pocket with limited room to work. The source notes that Rodgers drifted into pressure a few times, including a strip sack that led to a fourth-and-43 situation.NegativeRoleSep 20, 2026
Offensive line injuries forced Rodgers to run for his life all day; sacked four times by the Patriots' front seven. Pocket movement was questionable at times, and lack of mobility showed up significantly in the game. While Rodgers had very little help from receivers and offensive line, he needs more support from those around him.NegativeRoleSep 20, 2026
McCarthy deflected blame from Rodgers after the 20-3 loss to New England, stating the quarterback "can play at any volume of game plan" but needs better offensive platforms and protection schemes. McCarthy emphasized the team must "give Aaron Rodgers better platforms to throw off of" and attempt to get the ball downfield rather than relying on short passes, indicating the offensive struggles stem from coaching execution and scheme rather than quarterback performance.NegativeProjectionSep 20, 2026
Rodgers struggled significantly in Week 2 loss to Patriots, completing 23-of-39 passes for 187 yards (4.5 yards per attempt) while being sacked four times and pressured constantly throughout the game. The source attributes the poor performance to putrid offensive line play, with the Steelers averaging just 3.5 yards per play overall and managing only one play of 20+ yards in the contest.PositiveMatchupSep 19, 2026
Steelers QB positioned to exploit Patriots secondary weakness created by Carlton Davis III's absence. The source notes Davis's loss is 'a big loss for New England and could provide an opportunity for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers to exploit on Sunday,' with Marcus Jones (68.7% catch rate, +3.7% CROE) replacing Davis (56.5% catch rate, -1.1% CROE) as the starting outside corner.PositiveProjectionSep 19, 2026
Rodgers completed 24-of-40 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown against Atlanta in Week 1. Despite the modest stat line, Rodgers showed arm talent and expressed confidence in the passing game's ability to improve downfield. He cited multiple uncalled pass interference penalties on receivers (including two on DK Metcalf and one on Roman) that could have significantly altered the game narrative, suggesting the offense's underlying performance was stronger than the box score indicates.PositiveMatchupSep 18, 2026
Steelers QB facing Patriots secondary in Week 2; has made career out of protecting ball; source recommends relying on pass catchers to create yards after catch against Patriots secondary; best offensive approach is play-action (Steelers went 6-for-8 on play-action for 65 yards in Week 1); matchup will reveal much about Steelers' offensive prospects this season.PositiveProjectionSep 18, 2026
Rodgers attempted nine deep passes in Week 1 – he averaged just three such passes per game in 2025. They also threw the ball far more in Week 1 than they did in all but two games last season, and his average depth of target was north of 10 yards, something he didn't do once last season. This represents a significant scheme shift toward vertical passing that should support higher-ceiling performances going forward.NegativeRoleSep 17, 2026
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made clear that target distribution among receivers is not a topic of discussion in the locker room; the offense operates on the principle that whichever receiver gets open and creates mismatches should be targeted, rather than forcing the football to any particular player week to week.NegativeProjectionSep 17, 2026
Rodgers completed 6-of-8 play-action pass attempts for 65 yards in Week 1, despite the Steelers' inconsistent running game. The two incomplete passes were both instances where the Steelers left points on the board: one to Metcalf in the end zone where DPI wasn't called, and one on a bootleg to the left where Rodgers missed Jaylen Warren wide on a pass the running back would have walked in for a touchdown with a better ball. The source notes that McCarthy's offenses, especially with Rodgers at quarterback, have always skewed pass-heavy, and suggests the offense could be more dangerous if it incorporates more play-action and develops a threatening run game.NegativeProjectionSep 15, 2026
Aaron Rodgers was OK, not great, but he didn't need to do a lot thanks to a defense that was stifling against a battered Falcons team playing its third-string QB; he played with more freedom and aggression than he did last season, but the unit struggled to produce points against the Falcons and had the worst success rate in the NFL for Week 1.NegativeProjectionSep 15, 2026
Aaron Rodgers averaged 5.6 yards per attempt on 40 attempts in Week 1 against Atlanta. While this efficiency is par for the course for Rodgers, the source emphasizes that the passing offense has to threaten defenses down the field more to improve offensive balance and performance.PositiveProjectionSep 15, 2026
After a 2025 season where Rodgers often looked too willing to revert to a dink-and-dunk passing game, he looked more like a gunslinger against the Falcons in Week 1. He was extending plays, pushing the ball deep, and recording several "wow" throws. According to Next Gen Stats, Rodgers set highs or near-highs for his Steelers career in time to throw and air yards per target on Sunday, and his passing map showed him accessing every area of the field—a marked improvement from Justin Fields' limited middle-of-field access in the 2024 Steelers-Falcons matchup.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
Rodgers' Week 1 performance exceeded the 24-of-40 box score; he averaged over 10 yards per target and posted an ADOT of 10.5 after a 6.16 mark last season, demonstrating a significant increase in downfield aggression. PFF awarded him an 85.7 grade, first among all quarterbacks. Over 100 yards were left on the field due to drops, penalties, and a missed pass interference call. The source notes Rodgers looked largely comfortable and put pass-catchers in position to make plays, with the main concern being timing rust with receivers after limited preseason work.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
Aaron Rodgers targeted DK Metcalf 10 times but only connected four times in Week 1 season opener; McCarthy self-critiqued his playcalling as "herky jerky" and acknowledged not getting players into rhythm at certain parts of the game, suggesting early-season offensive rhythm issues may impact Rodgers' fantasy output despite the 20-13 win.NegativeRoleSep 14, 2026
Aaron Rodgers needs more from his receivers; the source identifies receiver performance as a limiting factor in his Week 1 output.PositiveProjectionSep 14, 2026
Rodgers finished Week 1 with 24-of-40, 221 yards, and 1 TD, but the source argues his box score undersells his performance. Multiple high-quality throws were dropped or negated by penalties: DK Metcalf dropped a 20-yard pass and had a 19-yard reception erased by pass interference; Roman Wilson dropped a 44-yard touchdown; and a 40-yard pass interference penalty was not called. In total, those plays cost Rodgers 104 yards and a touchdown. Had those been caught, Rodgers would have posted 28-of-40, 325 yards, and 2 TDs. Rodgers himself noted explosive plays were available and expressed confidence in the offense's approach.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
Rodgers' 9.2 air yards per target against the Falcons were the most he has recorded during his time in Pittsburgh, with his 2.95-second time to throw being his third-highest average as a Steeler; however, Jack Sawyer notes his diminished efficiency suggests the offensive scheme is still developing despite these positive volume metrics.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 40 attempts (60% completion rate) against Atlanta's banged-up defense, with efficiency issues despite the offensive line giving up just two sacks. Jack Sawyer notes Rodgers looked more comfortable extending plays than usual, and according to Next Gen Stats, his 9.2 air yards per target were the most he has recorded during his Pittsburgh tenure, with a 2.95-second time to throw being his third-highest average as a Steeler; the offense took steps forward from 2025 scheme limitations.