Aaron Rodgers is ready to begin a new chapter with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but fans will have to wait a few more days to see him on the field. The quarterback confirmed that he will most likely not play in the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“That’s an interesting conversation (play in preseason). I think Mike and I will have that talk at some point. I don’t think it’s in the plan for me to play this week, but, whatever Mike wants to do, I’m fully on board. If he wants me to go out there and play, I’ll play. If not, then I won’t.”
Under the NFL’s recent format, teams now have only three preseason games. In the Steelers’ case, they will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Aaron Rodgers says preseason is not real football
Aaron Rodgers was very clear in saying that preseason games aren’t very useful. In fact, the veteran quarterback mentioned that joint practices, like the ones they will have with the Buccaneers, are much more productive.
“I’ve said a lot, with all due respect, preseason football is not necessarily real football. The defenses just don’t do a whole lot and the offenses don’t either. So, you go out there with a very limited playbook. It’s really about the operation. Now, that’s where you can actually gain something from the preseason. Yes, I believe so (joint practices have more benefit). You’re not going to play that team in the regular season, so, they’re less worried about showing things they want to work on.”
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