Rodgers directed criticism toward the media for ignoring the strong performances of “emerging” players compared to higher-profile stars, offering his perspective in defense of his teammate.

Despite his success, the running back has not received much media attention, according to Rodgers. “They have their favorites and people that they want to talk about,“ Rodgers said during his press conference. “So it is what it is.”

Warren’s performance

Over five weeks, Jaylen Warren has been one of the NFL‘s top-performing running backs. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back accumulated 309 rushing yards and 143 receiving yards before the team’s Week 5 matchup. His performance proved even more dominant against the Indianapolis Colts.

In the 34-22 victory, Warren recorded 101 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He added another 87 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, highlighted by a team-high six receptions.

Warren has gone overlooked since going undrafted in 2022. Early in the season, many predicted Rico Dowdle would consolidate the lead running back role in Pittsburgh. While an injury to Dowdle played a role in that outcome not materializing, Warren has earned the undisputed starting running back role moving forward.

Warren was already an underrated player who took an unconventional football path before joining the Steelers, playing for three college programs: Snow, Utah State, and Oklahoma State. Meanwhile, Rodgers remains one of the most popular players in the NFL, raising hope that Warren will begin to receive greater media attention and recognition for his contributions.

Key takeaways

• A 34-22 victory was secured by the Pittsburgh Steelers against Indianapolis in Week 5.
• 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns were recorded by Jaylen Warren in Week 5.
• Going undrafted in 2022, Jaylen Warren earned Pittsburgh’s starting running back role.

Rodgers appeared frustrated by the delay in getting the next play call and directed an expletive toward the sideline. McCarthy then appeared to respond with profanity of his own, creating an exchange that quickly went viral on social media. The moment was particularly notable because of the long history between the quarterback and coach from their time together in Green Bay.

After the game, McCarthy acknowledged that the communication between the two got out of hand. Rather than dismissing the incident, the Steelers coach specifically expressed regret over the language he used while explaining that emotions can run high during an NFL game.

What happened between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy?

Mike McCarthy explained that communication on the field can become heated when players and coaches are competing, but he understands that the situation was different once the exchange with Aaron Rodgers was captured and broadcast to a national audience.

“Yeah, communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but, everybody’s competing on the field. I think what’s said on the field, the way I grew up in this game, usually stays on the field. That’s not the case today. I understand that.”

The Steelers coach went even further when discussing his own role in the confrontation, making it clear that he was not happy with the words he used toward Rodgers.

McCarthy did not try to justify the language, instead acknowledging that he would have handled that part of the exchange differently. “Any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words.”

The incident came during a difficult night for Pittsburgh, which eventually fell to 2-2 after the Browns hit a game-winning 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining. Rodgers and McCarthy were able to move past the sideline confrontation during the game, but the broadcast footage ensured the exchange would receive considerably more attention after the final whistle.

Rodgers also pointed to the atmosphere inside Cleveland’s stadium as a factor in the communication problems, saying the crowd noise made some calls difficult to hear. That context helps explain how a disagreement over play communication escalated so quickly, although McCarthy clearly believes he could have avoided making the situation worse with his choice of words.

For McCarthy and Rodgers, the incident adds another unexpected chapter to a relationship that dates back to their successful years together with the Green Bay Packers. The two have worked together for years and understand the intensity that comes with competing at the highest level, but this time their frustration was caught on camera for everyone to see.

Key takeaways

• Mike McCarthy expressed regret over profanity used during a 27-24 loss to Cleveland.
• The Browns secured the victory with a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.
• Aaron Rodgers cited crowd noise in Cleveland’s stadium for causing communication issues on field.

After tying the score at 24-24, the Steelers allowed Deshaun Watson to move the Browns into position for a decisive field goal. Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt then connected on a 56-yard field goal, giving the Browns a 27-24 lead with only 10 seconds remaining on the clock.

That left Pittsburgh with one final opportunity, but the Steelers’ last possession quickly became one of the most frustrating moments of the game. Rodgers had a timeout available and appeared to have an opportunity to move the ball closer to Chris Boswell’s field-goal range. Instead, the Steelers went for a desperate deep pass that failed to give them a realistic chance to tie the game.

Aaron Rodgers blew it on last play of Steelers game vs Browns

The biggest question surrounding the final play was why the Steelers did not use their remaining timeout to maximize their chances of reaching field-goal range. With 10 seconds on the clock, Pittsburgh still had an opportunity to complete a pass over the middle, stop the clock and potentially give Chris Boswell a chance from roughly 50 to 55 yards.

Instead, Aaron Rodgers appeared to look for a much deeper option and the Steelers essentially turned their final play into a Hail Mary. The decision immediately raised questions because Pittsburgh did not need a touchdown. The objective was simply to gain enough yards for Boswell to have a realistic opportunity to tie the game.

Replays made the decision even more difficult to understand. DK Metcalf appeared to be wide open in the middle of the field, giving Rodgers an option that could have produced significant yardage without requiring a desperation throw into the end zone. Had Rodgers found Metcalf, Pittsburgh could have called its timeout and potentially given Boswell one final attempt to tie the game.

The Steelers ultimately never got that opportunity. Instead of using the final seconds to create a manageable field-goal attempt, Pittsburgh’s final play ended without a realistic chance to score. Fans and analysts were left questioning whether the decision came from Rodgers, head coach Mike McCarthy, or the overall play design, because the Steelers still had a timeout and did not appear to need to take such a desperate shot.

Key takeaways

• Steelers lost 27-24 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.
• Aaron Rodgers had a chance to tie the game with ten seconds remaining on the clock.
• Rodgers decided to throw a Hail Mary missing DK Metcalf wide open in the middle of the field.

Tomlin had already identified several problems with the Steelers during his appearance on NBC’s Football Night in America. Pittsburgh has struggled to establish the run, has not converted third downs consistently and has failed to create explosive plays, while the offensive line has also been unable to provide the level of blocking needed to make the offense function. Against New England, the Steelers finished with only 235 total yards and converted just 2 of 12 third downs.

Now, speaking with Chris Simms on the Unbuttoned podcast, Tomlin explained how he would approach the situation if he were still running the team. Rather than trying to solve every weakness simultaneously, the former Steelers coach believes the organization needs to pick an area, attack it during the week and make sure the game plan reflects that commitment.

Mike Tomlin wants Steelers to pick a problem and attack it

Mike Tomlin specifically pointed to the trenches as the place where Mike McCarthy should begin to change things. “The first place I would start is in the trenches. They’re struggling to run the ball with a level of consistency. They’re not converting third downs at a high enough rate. They’re not hitting chunk plays in the passing game. You can’t fix all of that, and you particularly can’t fix all of that in a weekend.”

Then, Tomlin explained how the Steelers could structure their Bengals week. “It might be a week where you double down on your padded practices to send a message. An action message to back those words up. So, it’s not only the messaging, it’s in-week action, and then the structuring of game plans. When you come to those forks in the road, the first 15 has got to be run heavy. The short yardage and goal line circumstances got to be meat and potatoes. Either we’re going to do it or we’re going to not do it. But we’re not taking our foot off the gas.”

The challenge for Pittsburgh is that these problems are interconnected. The Steelers managed only 81 rushing yards against New England, while Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times, and the offense converted just two of its 12 third-down opportunities.

Tomlin’s point is that the Steelers do not necessarily need to solve every issue immediately, but they do need to establish one area where the offense can become dependable. Against a 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals team in Week 3, that focus could become particularly important as Pittsburgh tries to turn a concerning offensive start into something more sustainable.

“In a game like today where there wasn’t a lot of flow to it, we need to be better,” Rodgers told reporters once the game concluded. “And that starts with me at like making sure Mike knows what’s working, what’s not working, our coaches know, and — so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance.”

The overwhelming number of plays may have worked against the veteran quarterback. In fact, A-Rod expressed his support for finding a way to simplify the game plan throughout the game.

“If there’s too much stuff in the plan, we’ve got to cut it back,” Rodgers added. “I’m always liking to push the envelope, and if I see guys doing it the right way in practice, then I feel good about it, but we’ve got to transfer the practice to the game obviously and the details gotta come with it.”

Something went wrong for the Steelers

The Steelers‘ offense looked completely stuck in the mud in their brutal 20-3 loss to the Patriots. The gameplan completely sputtered out as Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get anything going downfield, finishing with just 187 passing yards, zero touchdowns, an interception, and a strip-sack fumble returned for a Pats score.

New England’s heavy blitz strategy completely overwhelmed Pittsburgh’s game plan: Rodgers was under pressure on nearly 39% of his drop backs and took four sacks, while DK Metcalf was effectively bracketed out of the game with just 27 receiving yards. To make matters worse, Pittsburgh completely failed on possession downs—converting an abysmal 2-of-12 on third down—and averaged 3.5 yards per play as they failed to hit the end zone all afternoon.

Rodgers trusts McCarthy to turn things around

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy know each other well, and each trusts what the other can bring to the team. The coach’s experience could certainly help Steelers Nation bounce back from the performance they showed at Gillette Stadium.

“I’ve seen Mike for 14 years. So, Mike is going to take accountability, sometimes when it’s not his fault, doesn’t need to do that,” Rodgers said. “But Mike loves the guys, and he wants us to have some urgency and to bounce back with this, and I know we will.”

What’s next for the Steelers?

The Steelers have a tough stretch ahead to fix that sluggish offense. First, they head back home to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, September 27 to host their division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Just four days later, on Thursday, October 1, they have a short-week road trip to face the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Finally, they return to Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 11 to lock horns with the Indianapolis Colts.

Key takeaways

• The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a 20-3 loss against the New England Patriots.
• Aaron Rodgers threw for 187 passing yards with zero touchdowns and one interception.
• Third-down struggles limited Pittsburgh’s offense to a 2-of-12 conversion rate.

Pittman had been listed as questionable after being limited in Wednesday’s practice before missing Thursday and Friday. The Steelers ultimately decided not to risk putting him on the field, making his absence official less than 24 hours before kickoff.

The timing is notable because Pittman made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut against the Atlanta Falcons. He caught all three of his targets for 58 yards, including two explosive receptions, and now Pittsburgh will have to adjust its receiver rotation against New England.

Steelers WR depth chart for game vs. Patriots

With Pittman unavailable, DK Metcalf remains the Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver and should be one of the central pieces of the passing game. Metcalf saw 10 targets against Atlanta despite finishing with four catches for 40 yards, so Pittman’s absence could create another opportunity for Rodgers to lean heavily on him.

Roman Wilson is also expected to have an important role after putting together a solid performance against the Falcons. The young receiver was ahead of Germie Bernard in Pittsburgh’s receiver rotation entering the season, while Bernard had only three offensive snaps in his NFL debut.

Bernard could nevertheless become one of the most interesting players to watch against the Patriots. The rookie was listed behind Pittman on Pittsburgh’s depth chart, meaning his role could increase significantly with the veteran sidelined. The Steelers can also lean more heavily on their tight ends, but replacing Pittman’s presence on the outside will require contributions from the younger receivers.

Pittman’s absence is therefore a significant change for Pittsburgh heading into its second game of the season. The Steelers acquired him during the offseason to complement Metcalf, and his efficient debut showed what he could bring to the offense. Now, Metcalf, Wilson and Bernard will have to help fill the void against New England.

So, who will be the primary backups for this game? The Steelers ultimately decided to go with veteran Mason Rudolph for the role. For the Falcons, however, the decision was more out of necessity: undrafted free agent Jack Strand will serve as their primary alternative.

Rodgers returned to the Steel City for another season, hoping to lead the Steelers to another Super Bowl. Rush, meanwhile, will take on the responsibility of leading Atlanta in its season opener and trying to pull off the upset. Which of these two quarterbacks will ultimately lead his team to its first win of the season?

The rest of the QBs on the Steelers and Falcons

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the luxury of having a crowded QB room this season, featuring a mix of experience and youth. Behind Rodgers and Rudolph on the depth chart are Will Howard, entering his second professional season, and recently drafted quarterback Drew Allar.

The situation in Atlanta is completely different, as the Falcons were forced to change their plans at the last minute. Injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., the two main candidates competing for the QB1 role throughout the season, have forced Stefanski to rely on Rush and Strand for the season opener.

Rodgers’ last Week 1

As announced several weeks ago, this will be Aaron Rodgers’ final season as a professional football player. But when was the last time A-Rod started a season opener as a quarterback?

On September 8, 2008, Rodgers took over as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback following Brett Favre’s departure, making his debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers won that game 24-19, with Rodgers completing 18 of 26 passes for 178 yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.

“Yeah, of course. Of course. That’s why I came back, because I believe in the guys,” A-Rod said. The veteran quarterback has faith in his teammates’ abilities and expressed his excitement about the experience on the roster, although he acknowledged that they will have to battle against their divisional rivals if they want to reach February with a chance to compete for the SB.

“I like the roster as a whole,” Rodgers also added. “We have good veteran leadership. It’s just about going out there and doing it. I feel like the AFC is very deep. Even our own division has a number of teams with Super Bowl aspirations, which is great.”

Rodgers’ last dance

All good things must come to an end, and Aaron Rodgers already confirmed that his 22nd year in the league will be his final ride in the NFL. The veteran QB returned to Pittsburgh for one last dance after a solid 2025 campaign where he showed he still has plenty left in the tank, guiding the Steelers to a 10-7 record while slinging for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions.

While Steelers fans are hoping he can cap off a Hall of Fame career with one deep playoff push, A-Rod already seems focused on savoring every last snap before officially hanging up his cleats for good.

Steel City wants to return to the Super Bowl

The itch in Pittsburgh is getting stronger, and Steeler Nation is more than ready to punch a ticket back to the biggest stage in football. One of the most storied franchises in NFL history, the Steelers boast 6 Lombardi Trophies—tied with the New England Patriots for the most all-time—and haven’t hoisted the hardware since capping off the 2008 season with a win in Super Bowl XLIII.

Their last trip to the big game altogether came back in February 2011 (Super Bowl XLV), making this a fifteen-year drought that feels like an eternity for a fanbase raised on championship football. With a rock-solid culture and high expectations, the goal in the Steel City remains unchanged: break through the brutal AFC playoff gauntlet and finally bring title No.7 back to Acrisure Stadium.

“We know our goal,” the linebacker said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review‘s Chris Harlan. “Not just get to the playoffs but when we get there to make noise. To win and go to the Super Bowl. But there definitely is extra added motivation to send ‘eight’ out the right way.”

A-Rod already knows what it feels like to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and he will look to do it again, this time in Steel City. Will the franchise’s long-held wish finally come true, with the quarterback capping his career with another championship?

Rodgers and McCarthy: A winning duo

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy were an absolute powerhouse together in the Green Bay Packers, capping off their run with that unforgettable Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2011. During their 13 seasons side by side, they transformed the franchise into a perennial NFC North juggernaut, stacking up eight straight playoff appearances and dialing up one of the most explosive, highly efficient passing offenses the league had ever seen.

Even though things got a bit bumpy toward the end of their era, there’s no denying that when Rodgers’ otherworldly raw talent synced up with McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly system, they were practically unstoppable and left an undeniable legacy in Titletown.

Rodgers’ last dance begins

As Aaron Rodgers kicks off his final NFL ride with the Pittsburgh Steelers, they face a manageable opening stretch that should let the offense get into a rhythm:

• Week 1 (Sept. 13): vs. Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium
• Week 2 (Sept. 20): at New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium
• Week 3 (Sept. 27): vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium
• Week 4 (Oct. 1): at Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 5 (Oct. 11): vs. Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium

Rodgers ultimately decided to return to Pittsburgh for another season, this time under new head coach Mike McCarthy. The decision came after the quarterback acknowledged there had been uncertainty about whether he would continue playing, before eventually signing a one-year deal with the Steelers. Rodgers also confirmed that 2026 would be his final NFL season.

Because Mike Tomlin spent an entire season working with Rodgers in 2025, Dan Patrick asked him whether the quarterback would have returned if Tomlin had remained in charge. Tomlin’s answer was particularly interesting because he believes Rodgers’ decision was driven by something deeper than his relationship with any particular coach: his love for the game itself.

Would Aaron Rodgers have returned if Mike Tomlin stayed in Pittsburgh?

During his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Mike Tomlin explained that he believes Aaron Rodgers would have strongly considered returning even if the Steelers had never made a coaching change. According to Tomlin, the veteran quarterback embraced not only playing on Sundays but also the meetings, preparation and development that come with being part of an NFL team.

“I believe he would have. Just spending twelve months with Aaron, man, this guy has a love affair with football and all components of it. The process, meetings, team development. He loved training camp last year. Not a lot of guys enjoy training camp settings the way I watched him enjoy.”

Tomlin’s observation is notable because Rodgers’ return was far from guaranteed during the offseason. The quarterback later explained that he had serious conversations with McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan before deciding that he wanted to play another season. That ultimately led to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh despite Tomlin no longer being on the sideline.

Tomlin went even further, suggesting that Rodgers’ physical condition and his passion for football would have made him seriously consider another season regardless of who was coaching the Steelers. His belief is based on what he saw from Rodgers throughout their time together, rather than simply speculation about what might have happened.

“I just think he’s built for it. He’s healthy. He’s certainly capable. So, I think that he would have strongly considered it regardless of circumstance. That’s just my gut feeling.”

There is an interesting irony to Tomlin’s comments. While the Steelers ultimately hired McCarthy and Rodgers returned for another season, Tomlin believes the quarterback’s decision was less about the coaching change and more about his own desire to continue playing. Rodgers has already stated that 2026 will be his final NFL season, making this the last chapter of his career.

Now working as an NBC analyst, Tomlin appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and was asked whether he believes the Steelers can actually win the Super Bowl this season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach.

“I certainly do. I think that’s the only reason Aaron comes back. He believes it, I believe it. I don’t think he comes back if he doesn’t believe that. I think they got the bones of having a good unit at all three phases.”

Can the Steelers win the Super Bowl?

Mike Tomlin believes the Steelers can win the Super Bowl. Tomlin pointed to Rodgers’ decision to return as one of the biggest reasons he thinks Pittsburgh should have legitimate championship aspirations.

The Steelers are entering a new chapter after Tomlin’s departure and McCarthy’s arrival as his replacement. Rodgers, meanwhile, is back for another season in Pittsburgh, giving the franchise a veteran quarterback with championship experience in his official last dance.

For Tomlin, Rodgers’ decision to return is more than simply a commitment to another NFL season. He believes the veteran quarterback returned because he genuinely thinks Pittsburgh has a chance to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. And Tomlin appears to share that belief.

Steelers could be the NFL’s 2026 dark horse

Mike Tomlin acknowledged that the Steelers are not receiving the same level of attention as some of the other teams considered among the top Super Bowl contenders. That, however, could ultimately work in Pittsburgh’s favor.

“Certainly, they’re probably not being talked about in the ways that some others are being talked about, but that can be a good motivator and a catalyst for them as well. I think they got high expectations, and I think they should have high expectations.”