PITTSBURGH — The highly anticipated third act of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s NFL career officially kicked off in a workmanlike fashion on Tuesday afternoon. During the opening practice of a three-day minicamp with his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers took the field and participated in various drills. “It was good,” he remarked after practice. “Good to be out here with the guys, learning the offense. It felt great to be in a jersey and cleats again.”
At 41 years old, Rodgers showcased his skills by throwing passes during individual drills. However, he took a backseat during full team drills, opting to listen to play calls through his helmet radio receiver. He actively followed along with a play sheet and engaged in discussions with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith while fellow quarterbacks Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard ran the offense. This was merely Rodgers's fourth day with the Steelers, and he was already immersing himself in the new environment.
“Everything’s new,” Rodgers explained. “It’s like the first day of school. I don’t know a lot of guys’ names. They don’t have names on the back of the jerseys here. They don’t have names on the doors of the meeting rooms. I literally walk out of the locker room lost, trying to grab somebody: ‘Hey, where am I going?’ But I’ll get the feel of it. And I’m excited about making this home.”
The partnership between one of the greatest and most polarizing quarterbacks in NFL history and one of the league’s most storied franchises became official on Saturday when Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers. “We’re excited about him being here,” said Coach Mike Tomlin after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s excited about being here. But we’ll make no bold predictions. We’re just going to roll our sleeves up and go to work and let our efforts do the talking.”
Rodgers has taken up residence in a corner locker at the Steelers’ training complex, with tight end Pat Freiermuth to his right and an empty locker to his left. During a team meeting on Tuesday, he addressed his teammates, expressing his commitment and readiness to work hard. Other players noted that Rodgers intends to sit next to rookie quarterback Will Howard during team meetings, eager to impart his knowledge and experience. “It’s Aaron Rodgers,” linebacker Nick Herbig said. “He’s a four-time MVP. He won a Super Bowl. Just having a guy like that with his experience around the team is awesome.”
Rodgers’s arrival coincides with a critical time for both him and the Steelers. Following a disappointing two-year stint with the New York Jets, which came after 18 successful seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he is looking to reignite his career. Meanwhile, the Steelers, despite their consistent record under Coach Tomlin, have not enjoyed a postseason victory since the 2016 season, losing in the opening round of last year’s playoffs.
After the Jets informed him in February about their decision to part ways, Rodgers kept fans and teams waiting before his eventual release in March. On “The Pat McAfee Show” in April, he revealed that he was dealing with personal issues but was keeping his options open, including the possibility of retirement. He ultimately opted to join the Steelers, stating, “I wouldn’t say it was super clear-cut. But as I got further into my deliberations, I decided the Steelers were the only team for which I would play a 21st NFL season.”
Rodgers expressed optimism about familiarizing himself with the Steelers’ playbook, indicating he would likely have it figured out “in a couple of weeks.” He previously participated in an offseason throwing session with DK Metcalf, the wide receiver the Steelers acquired in a March trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers plans to invite his new group of pass catchers to California for workouts between this minicamp and the start of training camp later next month. This is especially important as he missed the voluntary portion of the Steelers’ offseason workout program.
Rodgers acknowledged the absence of star pass rusher T.J. Watt as he navigates his contract situation with the team. However, the focus on this day was predominantly about Rodgers’s arrival. He concluded, “For my ego, I don’t need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions I’ve made in my career and life, based purely on ego, have left me unfulfilled. Decisions made from the soul are usually fulfilling. Being here with Tomlin and the team feels right for me, and I’m excited to be here.”
