Ali Akbar Rosady
PITTSBURGH – Following what many observers and analysts described as Aaron Rodgers’ most challenging outing since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin publicly affirmed his unwavering confidence in the veteran quarterback’s capabilities, stating he harbored "no long-term reservations" about Rodgers’ ability to perform at an elite level for the franchise. Tomlin’s remarks came during his regular Tuesday press conference, just days after the Steelers’ disheartening 25-10 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game that saw Rodgers deliver an uncharacteristically subpar performance.
The Sunday night contest against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium marked a statistical nadir for Rodgers in recent memory. The 41-year-old quarterback completed merely 52.6% of his passes, connecting on 20 of 38 attempts. This figure represented his lowest completion percentage in any game over the past five seasons where he attempted at least two passes, according to ESPN Research. Beyond the completion rate, Rodgers’ stat line included one touchdown pass against two critical interceptions, contributing directly to the team’s offensive struggles. The veteran signal-caller also endured three sacks, one of which resulted in a safety when Chargers star edge rusher Khalil Mack brought him down in the end zone during the first half, further compounding Pittsburgh’s woes.
Tomlin, known for his stoic and consistent demeanor, addressed the immediate aftermath of the Chargers game with a focus on the broader perspective. "Sunday night was what it was," Tomlin acknowledged, not downplaying the poor display. However, he quickly pivoted to his long-term assessment. "But I have no long-term reservations about his ability to play the position and play the position at a high level for us." This statement served as a clear vote of confidence for a quarterback who arrived in Pittsburgh with immense expectations, tasked with elevating an offense that has often struggled for consistency in recent years.
When pressed by reporters to reconcile his stance – that the performance was not merely an "off night" but also didn’t warrant "long-term concerns" – Tomlin offered a characteristically sharp retort. "I’m just not going to allow your words to be my words, that’s all," he stated, reinforcing his carefully chosen terminology and refusing to be drawn into semantic debates. Tomlin’s message was clear: while the immediate performance was substandard, it did not alter his fundamental belief in Rodgers’ enduring skill set.
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Rodgers himself offered a candid self-assessment in the post-game press conference on Sunday, acknowledging his struggles and taking accountability. "A lot of stuff wasn’t working," Rodgers admitted. "We were bad on third down. I was just a little bit off. … I missed, obviously, some throws, for sure. And then we weren’t getting guys open and just put it all together times the guys were open. I missed some throws I usually make." His comments underscored the collective offensive dysfunction but also highlighted his personal shortcomings in the game, a rare admission from a player of his caliber.
The stark contrast in Rodgers’ performance against the Chargers was made even more pronounced by his stellar outing just three weeks prior. In a Week 10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Rodgers showcased the form that has defined his Hall of Fame career. He completed 23 of 34 attempts for a season-high 249 yards and threw four touchdowns against two interceptions. That game, which the Steelers won handily, demonstrated Rodgers’ capacity to dissect opposing defenses and deliver explosive plays, offering a crucial context to Tomlin’s dismissal of long-term concerns. The Steelers are set to host the Bengals in a highly anticipated rematch this coming Sunday, adding another layer of intrigue to Rodgers’ current form.
Beyond Rodgers’ individual play, the Steelers’ offensive strategy and personnel usage also came under scrutiny following the Chargers loss. A notable point of discussion emerged around the utilization of running back Jaylen Warren. In the earlier game against the Bengals, Warren had a breakout performance, rushing for 127 yards on just 16 carries, averaging a season-high 7.9 yards per attempt. His explosiveness was a key factor in the Steelers’ offensive success.
After the Chargers game, Rodgers openly advocated for Warren to receive more touches. Despite the team’s overall struggles, Warren maintained a respectable average of 5 yards per carry against the Chargers, gaining 70 yards on 14 carries. "Jaylen made some really nice plays," Rodgers commented Sunday. "He’s a talented guy. We got to give him more touches." Warren, a fourth-year back, has accumulated 474 rushing yards this season, along with three total touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry across the campaign.
However, the snap count distribution against the Chargers revealed a different story. Warren was out-snapped by fellow running back Kenneth Gainwell, 26 to 23. While Gainwell did not record a single carry, he was targeted three times in the passing game, securing two receptions for 4 yards. Warren, conversely, had two catches on two targets for 21 yards, demonstrating his versatility as a pass-catcher.
Tomlin addressed the disparity in Warren’s snap count and the overall run game’s involvement by linking it directly to the team’s persistent struggles on third down. "We win more third downs, we’ll get Jaylen more touches," Tomlin explained on Tuesday. "It’s as simple as that. Jaylen was having the trajectory of a good day in L.A., but we didn’t convert enough third downs for you to really, really feel it." The Steelers converted only 2 of 11 third-down attempts against the Chargers, a dismal 18.2% success rate. For the season, Pittsburgh ranks 26th in the league in third-down conversions, succeeding on just 36% of their attempts. This inefficiency significantly limits offensive drives and, consequently, the total number of plays and opportunities for playmakers like Warren. The Steelers also rank last in the NFL with an average of just 55 offensive plays per game, a notable decrease from 62.6 plays per game a year ago.
Further illustrating the third-down issue, Warren did not play a single snap on third down against the Chargers. When questioned about the possibility of Warren taking over as the primary third-down back, Tomlin rebuffed the notion, emphasizing his comfort with the current rotation. "I’m comfortable with both backs in possession-down ball," Tomlin asserted. "Not taking anything away from Jaylen. He plays a lot on first and second down. You got to give him opportunities to catch a break, and so sometimes it’s on third down, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes we’ll give other ball carriers the start of a possession. He just simply cannot play every down, but I’m completely comfortable utilizing both guys on possession-down play." This response underscored Tomlin’s philosophy of managing player workloads and leveraging the specific skill sets of both Warren and Gainwell in different situational roles.
As the Steelers prepare for their critical rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals, currently standing with a competitive but not dominant record, the focus remains firmly on offensive consistency. Tomlin’s public support for Rodgers aims to stabilize the locker room and maintain confidence in his veteran quarterback. However, the performance on the field, particularly in high-leverage situations like third downs, will be the ultimate determinant of whether the "long-term concerns" remain at bay and if the Steelers can reignite their offensive potential. The upcoming game against the Bengals will provide an immediate litmus test for Rodgers and the entire Steelers offense to demonstrate the resilience and high-level play that Tomlin believes they are capable of delivering.
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