The Steelers’ offense has been flat-out unwatchable to start the season. Seriously, it’s rough out there. Through just two weeks, they’re sitting at a dismal 31st in points per drive, expected points added per play, and overall success rate. Even with a gift of a Cooper Rush turnover spree in Week 1, this offense is generating explosive plays at the fourth-lowest rate in the league, and only the Packers have been worse on third down.
Rodgers’ Play-Calling “Solutions”
After a brutal three-point performance in a loss to New England, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stepped up to the mic. “We need to be better, and it starts with me,” he said. Classic, right? Sounded like accountability was on the menu. But then he kept talking, pivoting straight into: “It starts with me, at like, making sure Mike [McCarthy] knows what’s working and not working, so we can call stuff that has a better chance.” Whoa, hold on. Rodgers really believes the fix for Pittsburgh’s offensive woes is more play-calling input from him. We got a peek at what that looks like in the second half against the Patriots, and it was eerily familiar to the offenses he’s led in Pittsburgh and New York over the last few years. Quick throws from the gun, main goal: reduce hits.
The Grim Stats Don’t Lie
Here’s the problem: Rodgers doesn’t want to hold the football any longer than he has to. But the explosive plays that Mike McCarthy wants? Those require the QB to hang onto the ball a bit longer and let things develop. This is where the Steelers’ offense runs into a wall: Rodgers gets worse the longer he holds the ball. It’s the difference between this version of Rodgers and the back-to-back MVP we remember from Green Bay at the start of the decade. Next Gen Stats show that on dropbacks lasting more than 2.5 seconds, Rodgers is averaging just 5.6 yards per attempt through two weeks. That’s a steep drop from 6.8 in 2025 and part of a clear downward trend since 2021. He might want to be a point-guard type, but he’s no longer creating. His arm just isn’t what it used to be. On throws with a completion probability under 50%, Rodgers has a sub-40 passer rating, averaging a measly 2.9 yards per attempt. Compare that to his 2021 numbers: over a 90 passer rating and 7.9 yards per attempt on those same tough throws. The talent is still there for a few flashes, but the regularity is gone.
So, what does this mean for the Steelers? With an offense that’s bottom of the barrel in almost every meaningful category and a quarterback who’s openly pushing for more control while his own stats are screaming decline, things look incredibly bleak. They’re stuck in a tough spot, and unless something drastically changes with Rodgers’ play or his approach, it’s going to be a very long season for Pittsburgh fans.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply