Chris Simms critiques Aaron Rodgers for Steelers’ offensive struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has struggled significantly in recent weeks. Regardless of whether it’s Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers under center, the unit has failed to find its rhythm. Early in the season, discussions centered around a potential contract extension for Rodgers, but the current state of the offense suggests a pressing need for future improvements.
Rodgers’ Role in the Chaos
Former NFL quarterback and current NBC analyst Chris Simms has voiced his concerns regarding Rodgers’ impact on the team’s offensive performance. During a recent appearance on “This is Football” with Kevin Clark, Simms did not mince words, suggesting that Rodgers has effectively “hijacked” the offense, leading to a lack of cohesion on the field.
“The quarterback play is not special,” Simms stated. “And then I do believe the offense has been hijacked by Aaron Rodgers to a degree. Some of the plays you’re seeing are not called in the huddle. You hear that just on Sunday in the press conference. ‘I gave him this signal. He should’ve gone in but went out. He hijacks a lot of plays.’ So it’s really hard to tell what Arthur Smith calls and doesn’t call.”
Confusion Among Offensive Weapons
Simms elaborated that Rodgers has been altering the designated play calls from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, which has led to confusion among the team’s offensive players. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Steelers’ offensive talent is already considered among the least effective in the league. Consequently, Rodgers’ adjustments are compounding the existing issues rather than resolving them.
In his tenure with the Steelers, Rodgers has participated in 11 games and holds a record of 6-5 as a starting quarterback. While questions remain about whether he should shoulder the blame for all five of those losses, it is evident that his performance has not met expectations this season.
