Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 19 more years of NFL experience than some of his offensive linemen. So, it’s not surprising the 41-year-old quarterback had a message for the Pittsburgh Steelers line early in training camp.
Rodgers shared while appearing on the latest episode of Cameron Heyward’s Not Just Football Podcast, which was released Tuesday, that he delivered that message through some tough love.
“[Skylar Thompson] got knocked down early in camp, and I walked out there like, ‘What the hell just happened?’” Rodgers told Heyward. “I looked back and nobody was walking out there.
“And I told the line, ‘Don’t you ever let that happen again.’
“I said, ‘We gotta protect each other, and you guys are the policemen out there on the field. You’re the big brothers out there. You protect everybody from DK [Metcalf] to me to whoever’s in there quarterback or whoever’s in there running back. I don’t care if it’s preseason practice, whatever. You gotta protect them.’”
Aaron Rodgers Mentoring Young Steelers Offensive Line
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora called what Rodgers was referring to as “a code” between the offensive line and quarterback. There’s likely few current NFL signal-callers who understand that code better than Rodgers, who is entering his 21st season in the league.
It didn’t sound like Rodgers was encouraging his linemen to instigate fights. But he wants the line to police any attack on a Steelers quarterback.
In modern football, a quarterback getting knocked down in a training camp practice is considered an attack. They happen, but when they do, fights often break out.
Last year, linebacker Elandon Roberts knocked down Justin Fields at Steelers practice. A big scrum between the team’s offense and defense ensued afterwards.
Fans who have watched football for years might be surprised that the Steelers offensive linemen aren’t aware of the code Rodgers was referring to. But Pittsburgh’s line is very young and inexperienced.
Four of the team’s five starters are 25 or younger. Three of Pittsburgh’s projected starting linemen are entering their second NFL season.
Cameron Heyward Apologizes to Rodgers
With Rodgers appearing on Heyward’s podcast, one of the bigger things to watch for was whether the defensive lineman would address his offseason comments on Rodgers.
When Heyward’s podcast co-host, Hayden Walsh, asked in March about his potential pitch to Rodgers to sign with the Steelers in 2025, Heyward provided a rather blunt response.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t,” said Heyward. “That’s simple, that’s the pitch.”
The defensive lineman was referencing a “darkness retreat” that Rodgers used in February 2023 to help him decide his future with the Green Bay Packers. Shortly after the retreat, the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets.
The Steelers defensive linemen apologized to Rodgers at the beginning of his appearance on Tuesday’s Not Just Football.
“I have to apologize,” Heyward said. “I guess my words were taken out of context when I said if you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or not.”
Rodgers responded that he “was hurt” that Heyward used to the media to make a statement about him based on preconceived notions. The defensive lineman initially laughed when Rodgers said Heyward’s comment hurt him.
It’s possible the quarterback was using dry sarcasm, but his tone appeared as if he was serious about being hurt.
The pair had a couple awkward pauses early in the interview, but overall, Rodgers’ podcast appearance with Heyward appeared to go well.
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