The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has kept quarterback Aaron Rodgers clean for two consecutive games. Rodgers hasn’t been sacked since Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. But in Week 7, left tackle Broderick Jones sort of sacked Rodgers himself.
After Rodgers threw a late fourth quarter touchdown, Jones jumped on the quarterback to celebrate the score. The touchdown and extra point gave the Steelers a one-point lead.
Rodgers, though, was visibly not pleased with how his left tackle chose to celebrate. Multiple video clips of Jones tackling Rodgers and the quarterback’s reaction to the tackle went viral on X on Thursday night.
Some social media users criticized Rodgers for his reaction to Jones’ tackle.
Jones, though, explained to reporters on Monday that he and Rodgers are now having fun with the tackle that went viral.
“We’re still joking about it. Yeah, he was a little mad, but it’s alright,” Jones told reporters, via Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders. “It’s football. It gets intense. But it’s still no love lost. It’s just the energy that he brings and that I bring.
“He told me, ‘Don’t lose the fire,’ and I told him the same. So, we shall see on Sunday. After he throws another touchdown, I might tackle him again.”
Broderick Jones, Aaron Rodgers Both Bring A Lot of Energy
It’s hard for any person to shake a reputation. That’s certainly true for quarterbacks.
It’s easy to point to Rodgers’ reaction to Jones’ tackle and argue the quarterback is a bad leader or teammate. But with more context, it’s not hard to understand why Rodgers was upset.
Quite frankly, head coach Mike Tomlin and Steelers Nation should be upset Jones tackled Rodgers after a Week 7 touchdown. It’s not unheard of for players to suffer injuries during celebrations. If Rodgers gets injured, then the Steelers’ hopes of advancing deeper into the playoffs than they have in years likely goes down too.
Jones’ tackle of Rodgers is only funny because the quarterback didn’t get injured.
Based on what Jones said, though, it’s obvious that Rodgers isn’t really angry about the tackle. The quarterback was mad in the moment, which has been the case other times this season.
Rodgers has yelled in the direction of teammates or at the sideline during games this season. But that’s him holding players accountable, which should only help the Steelers in 2025.
That’s what a leader does.
Jones understands that, and the tackle doesn’t appear to have damaged his relationship with Rodgers.
Broderick Jones Playing Much Better Lately
Jones experienced a terrible start to the season. He played particularly badly in the season opener, and Week 2 was only marginally better.
Over the first two games combined, Jones allowed four sacks and seven pressures.
Since then, though, Jones hasn’t yielded a sack in the past four games. Jones is playing a lot better at his natural left tackle spot, and the rest of the Steelers offensive line is solidifying itself as a result.
Rodgers has taken just two sacks total over the past four games after seven in the first two contests.
The Steelers have also run the ball better lately. The team is averaging 126 rushing yards in the last three contests. During the first three games of the year, the Steelers posted 63 rushing yards per game.
Jones has received some help. The Steelers use a lot of multi-tight end formations. The team has also utilized Calvin Anderson as a sixth offensive lineman, which seems to have really helped the ground attack.
But Jones still appears to be improving. Despite the tackle celebration, Rodgers should be very happy about that.
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