Behind the Steel Curtain
Sunday night was a roller coaster of Steelers emotions that would have made Kennywood’s Steel Curtain jealous.
Aaron Rodgers quickly and easily led the Steelers down the field to take the lead, thanks to a Calvin Austin double move, leaving him wide open in the end zone. The Steelers led 26-24. Chris Boswell missed the extra point. The Ravens returned the kickoff to their 47-yard line.
All Rodgers could do was watch, potentially for the final time. A traumatic 4th-and-7 completion to Isaiah Likely was all but certainly going to be the final gut punch. Up stepped rookie kicker Tyler Loop to attempt a 44-yard, game-winning field goal. He missed it wide right. The roller coaster reached its destination: the postseason.
“It’s pretty emotional, honestly,” Rodgers told NBC’s Melissa Stark on the field following the game. “It’s been a great year. I’m thankful for these guys and excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a long while.”
The Steelers are AFC North champions for the first time since 2020. Rodgers is back in the postseason for the first time since 2021, when he lost 13-10 to the San Francisco 49ers. The Super Bowl this year? In Santa Clara, in case you were wondering.
Stark asked Rodgers if his response implies that this is his final season and he is going to ride off into the sunset this year.
“No (Rodgers quickly said to clarify and collect the right words), it’s been a grinding year,” Rodgers said. “The two years before that were tough as well.”
Rodgers only played four snaps in 2023 with the Jets before suffering a torn Achilles. He finished 5-12 with the Jets last season and was told by the organization that it no longer wanted him back. The Steelers waited. They were patient, knowing that if Rodgers arrived at the South Side facility, things could be different. Different for them, and for Rodgers. Pittsburgh finished 10-7 for the third consecutive season, but this year feels different. They’re a long shot to win or even make the Super Bowl, but Rodgers’ ability to command the final 15 minutes is extremely noteworthy.
In the fourth quarter against Baltimore, Rodgers was 11-of-14 for 133 yards and the touchdown to Austin. He had a 130.1 passer rating. When the Steelers needed him most, Rodgers delivered. They need the same if his career, and the Steelers’ season, is to continue past the Houston Texans.
“It’s been an absolute blessing to be here with these fans, and this organization, and Mike T and the leadership that we got with these guys,” Rodgers said. “We found that something special, which is belief tonight on the offensive side, and I’m proud of our guys. The way we responded in the fourth quarter.”
