Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t do any work in team activities in minicamp after signing with the team, but he should be a full go during training camp. Speaking to the media on Wednesday during training camp report day, Tomlin said that he expects Rodgers to work in team periods when practices begin on Thursday.
“He’s a workaholic. I don’t have a whole lot of reservations about that,” Tomlin said about Rodgers’ workload per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, adding he’ll be in team periods tomorrow.
Tomlin did say that Rodgers would be limited at times to help get a look at rookie QB Will Howard.
“I think he’s hardened himself over the course of his career with his attitude toward work. Certainly, I’m gonna limit him in some instances, but when I do, it’s gonna be more about elevating opportunities for guys like Will Howard and less about preserving him,” Tomlin said via the team’s YouTube channel.
Unsurprisingly, Rodgers will be a full participant in camp. While he’s 41 years old and suffered an Achilles injury two years ago, it’s his first year in Pittsburgh, and continuing to build rapport with the offense is crucial. Rodgers hosted pass catchers in Malibu, Calif. earlier this month to work out with him, but this will be his first chance to work in team with Arthur Smith’s offense.
The Steelers will give Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson plenty of reps, but the success of their offense hinges on Rodgers’ performance, and it’s key that he gets the requisite work in with the starters. While he had just signed with the Steelers the week before minicamp and wasn’t fully immersed in the playbook, with two months passed, Rodgers should be capable of running the show on offense.
Not every receiver was in Malibu, either, so it’ll be a good opportunity for Rodgers to build chemistry with Robert Woods and Jonnu Smith, among others. Pittsburgh’s receiver situation isn’t entirely settled, with questions of who will step up behind DK Metcalf, and that will sort itself out during camp. Rodgers continuing to build connections with the receiver group can help determine what the depth chart might look like heading into the regular season.
After losing Russell Wilson to a calf injury during the conditioning test last season, it will be nice for the Steelers to have their QB1 ready to go on the opening practice of training camp. Getting Rodgers settled in and familiar with the offense early will help things run smoothly. Rodgers’ veteran presence will also be key, as he can mentor the quarterbacks behind him and help out the offense. Having him on the field and playing will help him pick up on things he might want receivers to do differently and let them adapt to his play style.
The Rodgers era for the Steelers should officially begin on Thursday, and it will undoubtedly be interesting to watch it unfold.
