A very strong narrative has grown around quarterback Aaron Rodgers in recent years that he is one of the most self-absorbed, selfish players in the league. That narrative only escalated as the Pittsburgh Steelers waited for Rodgers to make a decision about the 2025 season this offseason.
But a number of people have begun to push back on those Rodgers narratives. Fellow Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson dispelled them considerably while addressing the four-time MVP quarterback in an interview with Newsweek’s Robert Marvi.
“I think he gets misinterpreted a lot because people judge a book by its cover and don’t really know him,” Thompson said. “I’m not claiming that I really know him, but just being around him on a daily basis, he’s a good dude, cares about his teammates, holds people accountable. There’s a real desire for greatness that he expects all the time, and that’s been a great perspective for me.”
Thompson and Rodgers are each in their first preseason with the Steelers. Thompson signed with Pittsburgh on a futures contract in January and is trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Rodgers agreed to join the Steelers on a one-year contract on June 5.
Skylar Thompson Shares What Aaron Rodgers Brings Steelers Every Day
The Steelers hope Rodgers will bring veteran experience and have enough left in the tank to help the team snap an eight-year playoff drought.
As he continued to address why the selfish narrative around Rodgers isn’t true, Thompson described what the 41-year-old brings from an intangible perspective.
“He comes out here every day with a smile on his face. Whatever music is playing, you see him singing sometimes,” Thompson added. “Sometimes, you see him playing the air guitar. You can just tell he’s in his safe place. He’s just himself every single day.
“When we’re off the field, he loves being around the guys. He’s not too big for anyone. That’s really cool because not everybody’s like that, and he wants to be like everybody else. Just a really good dude.”
Rodgers has surprised some Steelers with his attitude in Pittsburgh. Fellow quarterback Will Howard seemed shocked when the veteran signal-caller asked if he was overstepping by giving Howard pointers.
“Aaron has been so willing to help me. He’s like, ‘Literally, as much or as little as you want me to help you, I’ll be there,’” Howard said, via CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns.
“He’s already given me tips, little things here and there in the meeting room, on the field, in my drops, different little things.”
Steelers All-Pro Cameron Heyward invited Rodgers onto the latest episode of his Not Just Football Podcast. In March, the defensive lineman was critical of apparent drama around Rodgers’ free agency decision on the podcast.
During Rodgers’ guest appearance, Heyward admitted he had a preconceived notion of the quarterback and apologized.
Rodgers Defended Thompson Early in NFL Training Camp
Also during that podcast appearance, Rodgers brought up a story involving Thompson from training camp.
Early in camp, Rodgers was alarmed Steelers offensive linemen didn’t come to Thompson’s aid after he was knocked down. Rodgers fired a warning to the team’s line on Thompson’s behalf.
“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.’”
By all accounts, Rodgers is being a great teammate in Pittsburgh. Therefore, it’s not surprising the Steelers players have a lot of good things to say about him.
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