It was a frustrating experience for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 13. Rodgers took abig hit to the face, briefly leaving the contest. When he returned, the Steelers struggled so much on offense thatfans chantedfor long-time head coach Mike Tomlin to be fired.
After the contest, Rodgers also appeared to take aim at some scapegoats for the loss. When asked what he can do to get on the same page with his receivers, Rodgers implied some of them have beenskipping film sessions, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
"When there's film sessions, everybody shows up, and when I check to a route, you do the right route," Rodgers said. "... We have our meetings every week. We have other opportunities outside of the facility, and [I] look forward to seeing all the boys there."
After missing Week 12 due to wrist fractures in his non-throwing hand, Rodgers struggled in his return to the lineup in Week 13. He completed just 10-of-21 passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns. None of the Steelers' receivers turned in big games, with DK Metcalf leading the team with three catches and Darnell Washington leading the way with 45 yards.
It was a disappointing performance that led to a disappointing result, as theSteelers lost 26-7to the Buffalo Bills.
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For Rodgers, those comments represent a bit of a trend, as the veteran did the same thing with New York Jets wideout Mike Williams last year. Rodgers appeared to blameWilliams for an interceptionas the team was trying to rally against the Bills in 2024. Williams was shipped away a few weeks later and seemed to take a shot at Rodgers after a win.
Rodgers also famously feuded enough with the Packers' front office to get himself sent to the Jets ahead of the 2023 NFL season. That's a bit different, as Rodgers wasn't calling out teammates during that saga.
Whether Rodgers' comments resonate remains to be seen. Following Sunday's loss, the Steelers sit at 6-6. The team is still in the playoff race, but needs to rally to secure a postseason spot.
If Rodgers can motivate the team's receivers to make that happen, there's still a chance for a storybook ending in Pittsburgh. If not, Rodgers is 41 and very likely moving on at the end of the season. It will be another lost year for everyone involved, not the best outcome considering the anger among Pittsburgh fans at the moment.
