Report: Aaron Rodgers Is At Steelers Facility On Friday

[NorthernBlitz]

I continuously told my friends, BEN keeps and gives us a chance at all times.



Salute the nation

This was the thing about Ben. Even when he was old and had lost a bunch of accuracy.

His heart was just so big. He was never out of a game.

I don't think many could dig out of a hole like Ben.

It's just unfortunate that in the playoffs later in his career, he did his part in digging a lot of those holes too.

 

[KentuckySteeler]

AJ Hawk (close friend of Rodgers) said he loves everything about TS. My guess is that he announces he's a Steeler on April 9th at his good friend Pat MacAfee's event at Pittsburgh Paints. I'm fine with it for 1 year. It would be nice to have a guy that can read defenses. We can win alot of games if we just put the stinking ball in the EZ and let the defense do the rest.

 

[Lloyd]

Home games will be very interesting next year if they sign Rodgers. Fans already have a short fuse with the head coach. Add in a QB that virtually nobody wants, it will be a dynamic like we haven't seen for a long time.

You got that right, by any measure taken, fans don't want Rogers. It doesn't matter what scale you are using: Steeler radio shows, Steeler message boards, Steeler Facebook sites, they all say he same thing: Fans don't want Rogers, period.

 

[BLITZ]

I didn't want Rogers. At this point who is left?
I would rather they tank a year and then go after a qb in 2026 draft. But we all know that is not going to happen.
So Rogers is the only logical choice

 

[NorthernBlitz]

I didn't want Rogers. At this point who is left?
I would rather they tank a year and then go after a qb in 2026 draft. But we all know that is not going to happen.
So Rogers is the only logical choice

As long as the structure of the deal is OK if we end up cutting him (or he retires) after year 1.

 

[topseed]

You know Con,I’ve resigned myself to the fact that he will be our QB. Obviously hoping that he has pride and motivation for his legacy which has been tarnished. Hoping that his Achilles injury is fully healed. I mean he moved like a frozen popsicle stick last season. Maybe he is what we need to shake this organization awake with his big mouth and ego. Who the **** knows anymore.

I'm kind of in the same boat right now.

Can I really sit through a complete season with Rudolph as the Steelers' starting QB? I mean, I guess I could...but what's the future look like after a 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-win year? Can we expect a huge shift in philosophy going forward with Tomlin under contract through 2027? Other than Arch Manning (who is not a guarantee to even come out), none of the potential quarterbacks in the 2026 draft interest me. This team, even with Rudolph, is not bad enough to be in the running to get Manning at or near the #1 pick anyhow.

I'm also not sold on Dart being a true franchise QB, so I'm not a fan if plan B is to take him in the first round next month while rolling with Mason.

Thus, we're left with Rodgers. The guy was still playing at a league MVP level in 2021. In 2022, he had a down year, but Davante Adams was gone, he had a bunch of young receivers, and he dealt with thumb and/or rib injuries for much of the season. 2023 he gets hurt on the first series of game one after a ton of preseason hype. 2024 his numbers were down on a very bad Jets team, although his QBR was higher than 2022.

Maybe Rodgers can come in and shake things up organizationally, like you said. Maybe he'll play lights-out and at least give the Steelers a chance to compete in the playoffs. Maybe he'll completely stink, and that'll speed up the process in getting Tomlin out of Pittsburgh.

You're right. Who the **** knows anymore. But it would certainly keep things interesting, if nothing else.

 

[Gildong Sack]

Was Ben “allowed” to throw over the middle
On that particular play? Maybe he was operating under coach direction similar to Watt being instructed to not worry about containing Lamar and focus singularly on Henry at all costs.

Never underestimate the stupidity of a Tomlin scheme

In Ben's defense the Packer's nose tackle or D lineman that hit his arm was almost in his face so it would be hard to hit Hines(If you are Ben) even though he was coming open. The brain fart of that play was forcing it into what you should know is the side that is going to get safety help, and the side you just pump faked to. It was a bang bang decision and that wasn't one of Ben's strengths. I'm guessing he was thinking "safety if I don't do something." And he did the wrong something...he should have just thrown it earlier and short of Wallace and we are in 2nd down.

Again if he had not looked at Wallace all the way then he would have seen the Mike linebacker fading to the boundary side. A timing type QB like Brees or Brady easily recognizes that, senses the rush, and throws to the spot Hines will come open at....that was never Ben. But, even if he was that type QB it wouldn't have mattered in this case as he telegraphed to everyone and their dog that it was going to Wallace.

This is the problem with a "gunslinger" type QB vs. a system guy. If you ever watched Favre he had the same problem. I will agree with you that the O.C. maybe should not have called that play in that part of the field. Don't know about Tomlin's involvement, but knowing Ben's strengths and weaknesses this might have not been the best call there. I would have run Trips(3 WRs on one side) there myself(If Ben could change the play) since they were in man... I'm just an amateur though don't want to be accused by the Ben people of being a know it all.

But sometimes O.C.s think they have to play 4D chess without realizing the D.C./personnel on the other side can barely manage regular chess.

I digress as it's all ancient history now.

 

[NorthernBlitz]

In Ben's defense the Packer's nose tackle or D lineman that hit his arm was almost in his face so it would be hard to hit Hines(If you are Ben) even though he was coming open. The brain fart of that play was forcing it into what you should know is the side that is going to get safety help, and the side you just pump faked to. It was a bang bang decision and that wasn't one of Ben's strengths. I'm guessing he was thinking "safety if I don't do something." And he did the wrong something...he should have just thrown it earlier and short of Wallace and we are in 2nd down.

Again if he had not looked at Wallace all the way then he would have seen the Mike linebacker fading to the boundary side. A timing type QB like Brees or Brady easily recognizes that, senses the rush, and throws to the spot Hines will come open at....that was never Ben. But, even if he was that type QB it wouldn't have mattered in this case as he telegraphed to everyone and their dog that it was going to Wallace.

This is the problem with a "gunslinger" type QB vs. a system guy. If you ever watched Favre he had the same problem. I will agree with you that the O.C. maybe should not have called that play in that part of the field. Don't know about Tomlin's involvement, but knowing Ben's strengths and weaknesses this might have not been the best call there. I would have run Trips(3 WRs on one side) there myself(If Ben could change the play) since they were in man... I'm just an amateur though don't want to be accused by the Ben people of being a know it all.

But sometimes O.C.s think they have to play 4D chess without realizing the D.C./personnel on the other side can barely manage regular chess.

I digress as it's all ancient history now.

I think it's a great example of living and dying by the sword.

A QB without Ben's balls takes the sack or throws it away. Just like a non-Ben QB throws it away on 2nd and goal instead of throwing it into triple coverage in a spot where it would be almost impossible for the WR to catch it anyway.

Of all the insane things about that play, the fact that it's 2nd down in an obvious 4-down situation is one of the things that I think is underappreciated about it. It's got to be that every single coach on the planet tells a guy to throw it away on that play instead of threading the needle into triple coverage. Especially after seeing what Harrison did 2 quarters before. But I guess "that's how you be great!"...God, now I have to rewatch the SI DVDs we bought from that season...

It's what made Ben Ben. It's why it was the most exciting, awe inspiring, and infuriating QB I've ever seen play.

Part of this has to be how emotionally invested I was.

 

[Gildong Sack]

I think it's a great example of living and dying by the sword.

A QB without Ben's balls takes the sack or throws it away. Just like a non-Ben QB throws it away on 2nd and goal instead of throwing it into triple coverage in a spot where it would be almost impossible for the WR to catch it anyway.

Of all the insane things about that play, the fact that it's 2nd down in an obvious 4-down situation is one of the things that I think is underappreciated about it. It's got to be that every single coach on the planet tells a guy to throw it away on that play instead of threading the needle into triple coverage. Especially after seeing what Harrison did 2 quarters before. But I guess "that's how you be great!"...God, now I have to rewatch the SI DVDs we bought from that season...

It's what made Ben Ben. It's why it was the most exciting, awe inspiring, and infuriating QB I've ever seen play.

Part of this has to be how emotionally invested I was.

You are talking about SB 43. That was a throw where Ben used his strengths which was moving in the pocket while throwing, waiting to see the field clearly, and using his arm strength to get it to Santonio. Great pass put where only Tone could get it. Incredible throw incredible catch...the pass we were talking about in SB 45, yeah not a good play/decision even if his arm is not hit.

Again I digress.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm kind of in the same boat right now.

Can I really sit through a complete season with Rudolph as the Steelers' starting QB? I mean, I guess I could...but what's the future look like after a 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-win year? Can we expect a huge shift in philosophy going forward with Tomlin under contract through 2027? Other than Arch Manning (who is not a guarantee to even come out), none of the potential quarterbacks in the 2026 draft interest me. This team, even with Rudolph, is not bad enough to be in the running to get Manning at or near the #1 pick anyhow.

Do you see any Matt Stafford-type QBs out there? It may take the Steelers making a move like the Rams did to find a good QB.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I didn't want Rogers. At this point who is left?
I would rather they tank a year and then go after a qb in 2026 draft. But we all know that is not going to happen.
So Rogers is the only logical choice

I with yaz BLITZ !!!

If rogers tends to win, the fans will be quiet. Should those wins falter, the noise will be real loud.!

Either way, we will be right back here next season wondering who the **** the QB will be.

On a positive note: The Steelers seem to be stocking comp. Picks in hope of something next season……………..



Salute the nation

 

[MT~Forged]

We can win alot of games if we just put the stinking ball in the EZ and let the defense do the rest.

What like collapse at the end of the season?

 

[NorthernBlitz]

You are talking about SB 43. That was a throw where Ben used his strengths which was moving in the pocket while throwing, waiting to see the field clearly, and using his arm strength to get it to Santonio. Great pass put where only Tone could get it. Incredible throw incredible catch...the pass we were talking about in SB 45, yeah not a good play/decision even if his arm is not hit.

Again I digress.

Sorry if I wasn't being clear...I was talking about both.

Ben's insane confidence in himself is what gave him the confidence to throw to Santonio on that play. It was kind of stupid to attempt. But it might be the best throw and catch I've even seen (certainly the most emotional huge play).

The "only Santionio can get it part" is only because he threaded it perfectly. Because he had insane level confidence. If it's inches lower it's a pick and the game is over. That's why it probably wasn't a great decision to throw that ball on 2nd down. He had two more tries to get a much easier pass (like the play before that Tone dropped).

In that game we lived by the sword.

I think that same insane confidence is what motivates him to throw the DTD in SB 45. It was not a "good" decision. I think your breakdown of the play was correct. I also believe that Ben thought that he could make the play because he had insane level confidence.

In that game (and may of the playoff games after it) we died by the sword.

It's the same thing that drives both decisions. Ben was the same as Favre. And when the crazy bets paid out, it was amazing. And it was ugly when they didn't.

 

[MT~Forged]

I think the plan is going to be QB in round 1 if any of the top 3 are still available. Try and move into the 2nd and get a QB if you didn’t get one on day one. Worst case is they take one in the 3rd. Then see how things go in 25, and decide if they need to make another run at QB in 26.

Personally I would draft 1 and maybe 2 QB’s this year as well as sign another as an UDFA. 26 I would still consider QB as a need and try to get one with more urgency than 25. Hopefully that will set them up for the future in 27 with the starter and a backup. Perfect scenario is that they end up with 2 starters and can trade one to recoup their investment.

Until the QB situation is rectified they are going to be spinning their wheels anyway, draft for the future in 25 and 26

 

[stillwright]

This was the thing about Ben. Even when he was old and had lost a bunch of accuracy.

His heart was just so big. He was never out of a game.

I don't think many could dig out of a hole like Ben.

It's just unfortunate that in the playoffs later in his career, he did his part in digging a lot of those holes too.

He also ended up digging the team out of those "holes". When your D gives up 40 plus points....that is a tough amount to overcome for any QB.

 

[Skott]

My opinion… Ben followed Tomlins game plan …. Until it was obvious it stunk and then Ben being the competitor he is did his own thing and tried to put them team on his back and find a way to win. He’d change plays at the LOS and some times it worked other times it didn’t, but we moved the ball a helluva better when he was running the offense then when Tomlin was calling plays

 

[NorthernBlitz]

He also ended up digging the team out of those "holes". When your D gives up 40 plus points....that is a tough amount to overcome for any QB.

Yep.

This is exactly what I said, right? "I don't think many could dig out of a hole like Ben"

In many of those playoff games, some of those 40 points were scored when the O was on the field. GB SB, Jax game, CLE loss (not on Ben...Pouncey). We gave up DTDs in all of those games. And I believe that we lost by less than a TD in each game.

 

[stillwright]

Yep.

This is exactly what I said, right? "I don't think many could dig out of a hole like Ben"

In many of those playoff games, some of those 40 points were scored when the O was on the field. GB SB, Jax game, CLE loss (not on Ben...Pouncey). We gave up DTDs in all of those games. And I believe that we lost by less than a TD in each game.

And we scored over 40 points offensively in each one also I believe.

Also we didn't play any high powered offenses.

 

[topseed]

Do you see any Matt Stafford-type QBs out there? It may take the Steelers making a move like the Rams did to find a good QB.

The Rams already had a good quarterback in Goff, but for whatever reason, it didn't work out for him in LA. He's shown his ability in Detroit. Sometimes it's more the system than the player. That's what worries me about the Steelers' current offensive philosophy -- is any quarterback going to be able to have great success in Pittsburgh under Tomlin?

Other than the MVP-level guys like Allen or Mahomes (and of course that will not happen), I don't see any other QBs out there who could help the Steelers win a championship. The best chance they had was a dual-threat like Fields possibly developing into that kind of player, but they let him walk. Although that was very much a longshot, too.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I didn't want Rogers. At this point who is left?
I would rather they tank a year and then go after a qb in 2026 draft. But we all know that is not going to happen.
So Rogers is the only logical choice

Shades isn't going to give up on that "no losing seasons" streak so for a while we will get whatever short-term veteran fix it takes to get to 9 wins every season.

 

[Steelmann]

CLE loss (not on Ben...Pouncey).

How anyone could blame Pouncey for the Cleveland loss is truly mind boggling. You do realize that was the first play of the game,right?
Hmmmm…let me see. Pitt gets the ball back…int on their 49. Cleveland TD.
Hmmm ….let me see. Pitt…3 and out. Cleveland scores TD on their possession.
Hmmm….let me see. Ben throws another int on 45 yard line returned to Pitt 15. Cleveland scores.
Hmmm…let me see. Each team punts.
Hmmm….Get the Ball back,Ben throws another int on Cleveland 47 yard line.

Hmmmmm….Sure seems like a long time ago that Pouncey ****** up the snap. Blaming Pouncey and nothing on Ben is just plain ridiculous.

Cleveland went into a prevent defense basically after the first quarter. Played the clock game they were so far ahead. Accounting for many of Ben’s yards. And then when Pitt was getting close they turned it on and scored at will ,and of course another int by Ben.

The Defense **** the bed and Ben. The snap certainly didn’t help. I suggest some going back and rewatch the game.

I read all these comments. I cheered Ben on just as much as any Steeler fan. But I mean come on. He had huge turnovers at huge times as well.
People saying Mendenhall losing the GB game. And then excusing Big Ben’s int because he was getting hit for the pick 6. Never mentioning his second pick that also led to a GB score,Rarely mentioning that he got the ball back with a full 2 minutes to go,and did absolutely nothing with it. Nothing. Mendenhall also got drilled hard on a great play by Clay Mathews. But that doesn’t seem to matter.
Mendenhall may be a bit of a flake,but I don’t blame him one bit for being a little bitter. The hypocrisy is quite real here.

And no. These comments don’t make me a Ben Hater. He deserves to go in as a first ballot HOF. But let’s not pretend there weren’t some big disappointments in big games.

 

[Lloyd]

Time is running out on Shades' "non-losing" seasons. The fans of Pgh have had enough of his clownish BS.

 

[NorthernBlitz]

How anyone could blame Pouncey for the Cleveland loss is truly mind boggling. You do realize that was the first play of the game,right?
Hmmmm…let me see. Pitt gets the ball back…int on their 49. Cleveland TD.
Hmmm ….let me see. Pitt…3 and out. Cleveland scores TD on their possession.
Hmmm….let me see. Ben throws another int on 45 yard line returned to Pitt 15. Cleveland scores.
Hmmm…let me see. Each team punts.
Hmmm….Get the Ball back,Ben throws another int on Cleveland 47 yard line.

Hmmmmm….Sure seems like a long time ago that Pouncey ****** up the snap. Blaming Pouncey and nothing on Ben is just plain ridiculous.

Cleveland went into a prevent defense basically after the first quarter. Played the clock game they were so far ahead. Accounting for many of Ben’s yards. And then when Pitt was getting close they turned it on and scored at will ,and of course another int by Ben.

The Defense **** the bed and Ben. The snap certainly didn’t help. I suggest some going back and rewatch the game.

I read all these comments. I cheered Ben on just as much as any Steeler fan. But I mean come on. He had huge turnovers at huge times as well.
People saying Mendenhall losing the GB game. And then excusing Big Ben’s int because he was getting hit for the pick 6. Never mentioning his second pick that also led to a GB score,Rarely mentioning that he got the ball back with a full 2 minutes to go,and did absolutely nothing with it. Nothing. Mendenhall also got drilled hard on a great play by Clay Mathews. But that doesn’t seem to matter.
Mendenhall may be a bit of a flake,but I don’t blame him one bit for being a little bitter. The hypocrisy is quite real here.

And no. These comments don’t make me a Ben Hater. He deserves to go in as a first ballot HOF. But let’s not pretend there weren’t some big disappointments in big games.

I was talking specifically about the DTD, not the loss. The DTDs in the other two games referenced were Ben with an INT and a fumble that went the other way.

While Ben or Connor might have been able to make it a safety instead of a DTD, the fault has to be about 95% on Pouncey.

I 100% agree that it was the worst game of Ben's career. My guess is that if that's a normal loss, he retires after that game. But that he couldn't go out like that.

Certainly his worst snap in the NFL. Probably never one that bad in college. Maybe not in HS in a game. Hard to snap it two feet over a guy who's 6'4".

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I was talking specifically about the DTD, not the loss. The DTDs in the other two games referenced were Ben with an INT and a fumble that went the other way.

While Ben or Connor might have been able to make it a safety instead of a DTD, the fault has to be about 95% on Pouncey.

I 100% agree that it was the worst game of Ben's career. My guess is that if that's a normal loss, he retires after that game. But that he couldn't go out like that.

Certainly his worst snap in the NFL. Probably never one that bad in college. Maybe not in HS in a game. Hard to snap it two feet over a guy who's 6'4".

Not when you feel you have something to prove, and the adrenalin is flowing. I was terrible at shotgun snaps because I was too emotional the way I played. I cost me my starting spot. The other guy wasn't half as good at blocking, particularly against the run, but we went heavy shotgun and I couldn't do it consistently to the same spot he could. I feel for Pouncey, he was probably trying too hard to make up for father times inevitable decline and it took his focus off his first job, getting the ball to the QB. Plus, that was a huge game against a bitter rival.

I was also the long snapper and one game after getting really pissed the play before I had to snap for a punt and sent the snap 25 yards past and 10 feet over the head of the punter right into the endzone. Two series later I luckily got those one back on a stirp sack fumble recovery TD return. My finest and lowest moments of my senior year within two series. Ironman football up to that game.

Glory Days, they pass you by.

 

[Steelmann]

I was talking specifically about the DTD, not the loss. The DTDs in the other two games referenced were Ben with an INT and a fumble that went the other way.

While Ben or Connor might have been able to make it a safety instead of a DTD, the fault has to be about 95% on Pouncey.

I 100% agree that it was the worst game of Ben's career. My guess is that if that's a normal loss, he retires after that game. But that he couldn't go out like that.

Certainly his worst snap in the NFL. Probably never one that bad in college. Maybe not in HS in a game. Hard to snap it two feet over a guy who's 6'4".

I certainly did not say that that “was the worst game of Ben’s career “. Ben stank it up once in a while just like any QB playing that long will. Even though they won the Seattle SB,Ben had a horrible game. That pick I think in the beginning of second half was just a head scratcher. Ben got them to the big game,but they won it despite him.
Ben,at times could be very inconsistent.