Ben Roethlisberger lauds Aaron Rodgers but expresses concern over Steelers’ shaky protection
Pittsburgh Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger was impressed by Aaron Rodgers’ performance in Week 1, but he has lingering worries about the 41-year-old quarterback’s ability to withstand a barrage of hits. Despite the thrilling 34-32 victory against the New York Jets, the Steelers’ offensive line demonstrated significant vulnerabilities, particularly in pass protection.
Concerns over pass protection
Rodgers faced relentless pressure throughout the game, enduring eight quarterback pressures and suffering four sacks. A significant portion of that pressure stemmed from left tackle Broderick Jones, who struggled to contain defenders effectively. Roethlisberger, reflecting on the situation, pointed out that the sacks were not on Rodgers. “The only thing — there were four sacks. None of those that I saw were Aaron’s fault,” he noted on his podcast. While some pressures resulted from defensive coverage, Roethlisberger emphasized that Rodgers was not holding the ball excessively long, indicating a problematic offensive line.
Rodgers’ resilience tested
Despite the challenges, Roethlisberger remains optimistic about Rodgers’ skills on the field. However, he is rightfully concerned about the toll that repeated hits could take on the veteran quarterback. “I’m very encouraged by the way Aaron played,” Roethlisberger affirmed. “My concern is going to be, moving forward, can Aaron take a beating like that every week? Not at that age because some of those, even when he didn’t get sacked, he got hit so hard.” The physical toll was evident as Rodgers, even after plays that resulted in no sacks, was frequently lifted off the ground, a worrying sight for any quarterback in his forties.
Rodgers deflects blame
In a display of leadership, Rodgers attempted to deflect some responsibility from his offensive line, admitting that he stepped into one or two of the sacks during the game. He acknowledged feeling tightness in his back, which affected his mobility. “I might be old, but I still feel like I can move around pretty good, and I wasn’t moving the way I usually like to move,” he commented, revealing the physical challenges he faced.
A need for improvement
Anyone who tuned into the game could see that the Steelers’ offensive line was not meeting the necessary standards. The glaring issues, especially at left tackle, have raised questions about Jones’ performance since 2024, with little sign of improvement. While head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to make a change to the lineup, the ongoing struggles must be addressed as the season progresses.
Looking ahead
As the Steelers move forward, the interplay between Rodgers’ experience and the offensive line’s effectiveness will be critical. The team needs to ensure that their prized quarterback can function without fearing for his safety on every dropback, especially as they seek to navigate the rigors of the NFL season.
