For the first time this season, the NFL is heading to Europe — specifically to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. There, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings will go head-to-head in what promises to be a clash between playoff hopefuls. However, there’s one particular aspect of the trip that doesn’t sit well with Aaron Rodgers.
The battle-tested veteran and former Super Bowl champion with the Packers has logged countless miles since entering the league — and at this stage of his career, every day of rest holds significant value.
In a recent media session ahead of the team’s trip to Ireland, Rodgers made it clear he would have preferred to travel on a different day to allow for more rest between games.
“It is what it is, but if the schedule had been a little different, if I could have chosen it, maybe we get over on Monday; Tuesday is the day off,” he said Friday, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. “Good to get out, see some things. It’s a beautiful country, it seems like, from pictures.”
The schedule is tight
Rodgers’ complaints quickly reached the Steelers’ leadership, and it was team owner Art Rooney II who revealed to the media that the tight schedule forced Mike Tomlin’s squad to travel to Dublin on Thursday night.
“I would’ve liked to have the guys over here for a few more days, too,” Rooney said, via Pryor. “But we’re in the middle of the season, so we had to do what’s best for the football side of things.”
On Sunday morning, the Steelers and Vikings will kick off the NFL’s first game of the season to be played in Europe, in a showdown between two potential Super Bowl contenders.
What’s next for the Steelers?
With their eyes firmly set on the upcoming clash against the Vikings, here are the next games the Pittsburgh Steelers will face as they aim to secure control of the AFC North:
- @ Minnesota Vikings, September 28
- Bye Week
- vs Cleveland Browns, October 12
- @ Cincinnati Bengals, October 16
- vs Green Bay Packers, October 26