Aaron Rodgers” tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers started positively with a 4-1 record, but the 41-year-old quarterback”s struggles have intensified as the team has lost three out of their last four games. In their recent matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers fell 25-10, with Rodgers completing 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, and a fumble. His performance resulted in a passer rating of 50.6, marking the lowest of the season.
“I didn”t play very good at all,” Rodgers admitted. “I gotta play better. We”ve got four division games left. It”s a long season.” This loss continued a concerning trend for Rodgers, whose passing yards and quarterback rating have decreased for three consecutive weeks.
The Steelers struggled significantly on third down, converting only 2 of 11 attempts, and found themselves trailing by as much as 22 points before scoring a late touchdown. When asked to evaluate Rodgers” performance, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin curtly responded, “How would you? Next (question).”
Rodgers” issues were evident early in the game. While trying to avoid pressure in the first quarter, he fumbled the ball in the end zone before recovering it, resulting in a safety that gave the Chargers their first points. “I didn”t really see anybody open,” he explained. “I felt like when I stepped up, I saw Mack, and I didn”t realize that he had kind of lost touch with (right tackle) Troy (Fautanu).”
Later in the second quarter, an overthrown pass intended for DK Metcalf led to an interception by Chargers safety RJ Mickens. The Chargers capitalized on this turnover, with Justin Herbert connecting with Ladd McConkey for a 15-yard touchdown, sending the teams to halftime with the Chargers leading 12-3.
The second half did not bring much improvement for Rodgers, who managed just one completed pass in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, while at the Chargers” 10-yard line and looking to score, he threw three consecutive incompletions, including a missed attempt on fourth down to a covered Metcalf in the end zone. “I probably should”ve thrown to the other side,” Rodgers reflected. “He was doubled. I was trying to throw back shoulder. I should”ve worked the other side.”
Rodgers” second interception occurred on the following drive when a pass deflected off wide receiver Calvin Austin and into the hands of Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson. With turnovers mounting and the offense failing to convert third downs, the Steelers” defense bore the brunt of the pressure, as the Chargers dominated time of possession 37:35 to 22:25.
“Just on the grass too long,” Tomlin noted. “We didn”t convert on third downs; the time of possession was what it was. Collectives and individuals wear down when you”re not standing up.” Rodgers” only touchdown pass, a 27-yard reception by Roman Wilson, came in the final minutes, with the Steelers already trailing by three possessions.
The Steelers now hold a 5-4 record, sitting just one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFC North. “We gotta play better on offense for sure,” Rodgers stated. “But this is part of the season; there”s ebbs and flows and ups and downs. We can”t ride the wave. It starts with me.”
