Mike Tomlin adores Aaron Rodgers. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Rodgers for a reason, and despite the limitations of his 41-year-old body, the future Hall of Famer will start the season under center barring a major injury. Rodgers chose to play this season in part due to his respect for the aforementioned Tomlin. If the Steelers do crash and burn, at least they'll do so together.
Tomlin has made several cameos over the past week praising Rodgers, showing just how exhausting his life is going to be for the next seven months.
“It’s gotta be more than capabilities. You know, you doing what he’s doing at 41, it’s not because you’re capable, it’s other things,” Tomlin told Kyle Brandt of NFL Network. “It’s a burning desire. It’s man versus himself. It’s answering critics. It’s whatever. And so I just wanna get to know him legitimately and, for me, a component of that is understanding the why. I think I can better coach him and get to know him in a real way, and we can both be what this team needs us to be if we pursue it in that manner.”
Mike Tomlin's praise of Aaron Rodgers is already exhausting
On Wednesday, the Pat McAfee Show made an appearance in Latrobe, home of the Steelers training camp. He was asked again what it's like having Rodgers under center. And just in case you were wondering how much Tomlin LOVES Rodgers, he made it crystal clear.
“You’re damn right it does. Feels pretty good, too. Just the possibilities. To have a guy like that, in your huddle, in your locker room, a part of your group, it certainly gives us all great confidence,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers media circus is just beginning. While Omar Khan officially pulled the trigger this offseason, all of Pittsburgh's moves come Tomlin-approved. He reportedly spoke with Rodgers weekly this offseason in an attempt to get him to sign. Though, per Rodgers, he never felt pressured. How sweet is that?
Mike Tomlin revealed Steelers fans' worst nightmare
Rodgers was a fantastic player, but these days he's self-centered and far from the player he once was. In Rodgers' final season with the Green Bay Packers back in 2022, he had already shown signs of rust. Then, he suffered a season-ending injury in his first game with the New York Jets. While there were some signs of life in the second half of last season, it's a small sample size and tough to bank on for the Steelers moving forward.
In a way, Tomlin admitted just that. "It's gotta be more than just the capabilities..." is, in itself, a hint of what's to come for the Steelers. Yes, Rodgers is a better option than Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, but not by much. The advantage Rodgers does have is experience.
That being said, Rodgers had that same edge in New York, and is lacking weapons on the outside. He's had to learn a new offense this offseason, and brings far too much baggage and a camera crew with him everywhere he goes.
Tomlin can't stop praising Rodgers in part because he's forced to do so.