Kristina Roberts
When it comes to the NFL preseason, fans are always excited to see their favorite stars in action. This year, many Pittsburgh Steelers fans were waiting to watch Aaron Rodgers in black and gold for the very first time. But that wait will continue. Head coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that Rodgers will not play a single snap during the preseason. Instead, his official debut as the team’s starting quarterback will come in Week 1 of the regular season.
The Steelers’ last preseason game is against the Carolina Panthers, but Rodgers will not be on the field. Wide receiver DK Metcalf, who also has not played in any preseason games this year, will sit out too. Along with them, veteran players like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward will not be playing. Heyward is still working through a contract issue but has joined team drills during practice.
For Rodgers, skipping preseason games is not unusual at all. In fact, it has become his habit in recent years. Since 2018, he has played in only one preseason game, which happened in 2023 when he was with the New York Jets. At that time, Rodgers was adjusting to a new team and needed some extra reps. Otherwise, he has stayed on the sidelines during most August games, saving his energy and focus for when the season truly begins.
Still, many fans and analysts thought it might be useful for him to play at least a small part of a game this summer. After all, he is learning to work with a new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, and some people were curious about how their styles would fit together. Rodgers, at this stage of his career, is not known for moving around much on the field. He does not prefer throwing passes over the middle, which often leads to big plays in modern football. He also likes to take his time at the line of scrimmage and does not use much pre-snap motion. These tendencies are quite different from the fast-moving style that Smith has usually used in his offenses.
Yahoo Sports analyst Nate Tice discussed this in detail and pointed out that the Rodgers-Smith partnership may have some natural challenges. Even so, both Rodgers and Smith have spoken positively about working together. Rodgers has praised the relationship he has built with Smith, and Smith has mentioned that he is designing the Steelers’ offense around Rodgers’ particular strengths. This shows a sense of trust between the quarterback and the coach, which could be very important for the season ahead.
Head coach Mike Tomlin also showed confidence in Rodgers’ preparation, saying simply: “I’m comfortable with what I’ve seen out here.” His words suggest that the coaching staff has no worries about Rodgers’ readiness, even though he has not played in a live game this summer.
For Steelers fans, the first chance to see Rodgers in full action will come in the opening week of the season. In a twist of fate, that game will be against his former team, the New York Jets. This adds extra excitement to the matchup, as Rodgers will face the very squad he left behind.
Meanwhile, other teams in the NFL are also making big decisions before the season begins. In Indianapolis, head coach Shane Steichen has named Daniel Jones as the Colts’ starting quarterback instead of Anthony Richardson. “He’s the starting quarterback for the season,” Steichen explained, adding, “I don’t want to have a short leash on that.” This shows that the Colts are ready to give Jones a fair chance, even though Richardson was a major draft pick. Many believe the Colts are making this choice because the team’s management needs quick results, and they feel Jones is more prepared at the moment.
Contract talks are another hot topic. For example, Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is still struggling to reach a deal with his team. He has shared that the main issue is guaranteed money. While the Bengals are open to offering him one year of guaranteed salary, they do not want to commit to more than that. Hendrickson has said that until the team changes its stance, he is willing to wait rather than agree to terms he finds unfair.
In Washington, the Commanders are facing changes at running back. Brian Robinson Jr. has been surrounded by trade rumors and is currently sidelined. During their preseason game against the Bengals, Washington still performed strongly on offense. Their opening drive was a quick four-play, 73-yard touchdown series without even needing a pass. Running back Chris Rodriguez made a big 40-yard run, setting up quarterback Jayden Daniels, who then ran for a 14-yard touchdown. Later, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt added to the excitement by scoring on a 27-yard run. His performance has given fans hope that new talent can step up if Robinson is indeed traded.
All of these stories remind us that the preseason is not just about practice—it is also about decisions, adjustments, and preparing for the challenges of the season. For the Steelers, the most important storyline remains Aaron Rodgers. The team is betting on his experience, leadership, and skill to guide them to success. Even though fans may have to wait a little longer to see him in real action, the wait might just be worth it.
After all, Rodgers has shown in his long career that he knows how to prepare himself without preseason games. His connection with his coaches and teammates will soon be tested under the bright lights of the regular season. And when he finally steps onto the field wearing Steelers colors, all eyes will be watching to see if this new chapter in his career starts with a spark.
For now, the message from the Steelers’ camp is simple: trust the process. Rodgers is ready, even without preseason snaps, and the team is ready to support him. Week 1 against the Jets promises to be a must-watch moment—not just for Steelers fans, but for football lovers everywhere.
