Aaron Rodgers began his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers positively, leading the team to four victories in their first five games this season. However, the 41-year-old quarterback”s performance has deteriorated significantly, contributing to the Steelers losing three of their last four matches. In a 25-10 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, Rodgers completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a fumble.
Rodgers faced pressure throughout the game, resulting in him being sacked three times and even leading to a safety. His passer rating of 50.6 marked 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 defeat marked the third consecutive week where both his passing yards and quarterback rating have declined.
The Steelers struggled to convert on third downs, managing just 2 of 11 attempts. At one point, they trailed by as many as 22 points before scoring a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. Head coach Mike Tomlin was curt when asked to evaluate Rodgers” performance, responding, “How would you? Next (question).” The quarterback”s missteps started early in the game; while trying to escape pressure near the goal line in the first quarter, he fumbled the ball in his own end zone, which resulted in a safety after being tackled by Khalil Mack.
“I didn”t really see anybody open,” Rodgers 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).” In the second quarter, Rodgers threw an interception when he overthrew DK Metcalf, allowing Chargers safety RJ Mickens to make the catch. Two minutes later, the Chargers capitalized on the turnover, as quarterback Justin Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey for a 15-yard touchdown, sending Los Angeles into halftime with a 12-3 advantage.
The second half offered little improvement for Rodgers, as he completed only one pass in the third quarter. When the Steelers reached the Chargers” 10-yard line in the fourth quarter, they came away empty after three consecutive incompletions, including a poorly placed fourth-down throw to a covered Metcalf in the end zone. “I probably should”ve thrown to the other side,” Rodgers noted. “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 his pass slipped through the hands of wide receiver Calvin Austin and was intercepted by Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson. The Steelers” offense struggled to convert on third downs, leaving the defense to shoulder the burden. The Chargers dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37:35 compared to the Steelers” 22:25. “Just on the grass too long,” Tomlin said. “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” sole touchdown pass came late in the game, a 27-yard catch-and-run by Roman Wilson, but by then, the Steelers were already trailing by three possessions. Pittsburgh”s record now stands at 5-4, sitting just one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot in the NFC North. “We gotta play better on offense for sure,” Rodgers said. “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.”
