Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made an eye-opening statement after Sunday’s embarrassing 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Rodgers said it was a terrible practice week.
“I thought we had a better preparation week and a poor practice week… I’m not sure if it was cold weather or what it was, but it wasn’t our best week of practice,” Rodgers said.
Head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Rodgers’ comments during his Tuesday press conference, and he said he’s open to making adjustments.
“I’m open doing whatever it is that we need to do,” Tomlin said. “Obviously in an effort to make practice better, sometimes practice gets challenging, particularly at the early portions of the week. Not making that as an excuse, that’s just the reality of our business. I’m sure people that we compete against miss significant players as well.
“How we navigate that oftentimes during the week is an example of how we might navigate it during the course of the weekend, and certainly, last week based on the results were not good enough.”
Rodgers also called out his receivers in his postgame interview on Sunday.
Rodgers was asked how to get more production in the passing game. He replied, “When there’s film sessions. Everyone shows up. When I check to a route, you do the right route. Jonnu [Smith] and I weren’t on the same page. I checked to his in-breaker and he ran an out-breaker. Jonnu is a true professional, so I’m sure he’s sick about that.”
Rodgers and the receivers were not on the same page on Sunday, and haven’t been for several weeks. The four-time NFL MVP’s statement suggests that there’s been a lack of commitment by some in the receivers room.
Rodgers admitted that he threw a bad pass on a go route to Roman Wilson that fell incomplete in the first quarter. He called it a “shitty” pass. He knows he has to play better, as well.
“I believe in the coaching staff. I believe in Mike Tomlin. That’s why I came here,” Rodgers said. “Players need to take accountability. Myself included. I will. And I will continue to. I’ve got to play better.”
Rodgers completed 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards (47.6%), no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 65.0 in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo. Rodgers’ completion percentage was a season low. His 117 yards were also the lowest in a game this season that he played in all four quarters.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Open to Making Practice Changes Following Aaron Rodgers’ Remarks
