LATROBE, Pa. — Aaron Rodgers believes the new-look Pittsburgh Steelers offense is beginning to determine issues out.
The veteran quarterback says he is even open to showcasing how far the offense has are available in Saturday’s preseason opener in opposition to Jacksonville … if coach Mike Tomlin asks.
“It is an attention-grabbing dialog,” Rodgers mentioned Wednesday. “I believe Mike and I’ve that in some unspecified time in the future. I do not suppose it is within the plan for me to play this week, however no matter Mike desires to do, I am absolutely on board.”
The 41-year-old final appeared in an exhibition sport two years in the past throughout his first season with the New York Jets. Earlier than that, the NFL’s oldest lively participant hadn’t run onto the sphere for a sport that did not rely since 2018.
The short-term lack of rookie quarterback Will Howard may complicate issues. The previous Ohio State star is dealing with a hand injury and will not be obtainable, leaving Rodgers, veteran Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson to separate the snaps in opposition to the Jaguars.
Howard, whom Rodgers has actively taken underneath his wing since signing a one-year take care of the Steelers in early June, smacked his hand in opposition to a helmet in apply on Tuesday.
“It [stinks] for him for positive … as a result of he is had such a pleasant camp as a younger participant after which watching him in minicamp and simply seeing his, you understand, command of the offense,” Rodgers mentioned. “However this 12 months is a development 12 months for him. It is a 12 months to look at and be taught and clearly higher himself. This [should] simply be a minor setback for him.”
After being repeatedly dominated throughout the opening 10 or so practices at Saint Vincent Faculty, Rodgers thinks he has seen some progress in current days as he grows extra snug in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system.
The 2 spent a number of hours on Tuesday speaking about offensive philosophy past mere X’s and O’s, and Rodgers mentioned Smith desires the offense to be a collaborative course of.
“He isn’t a inflexible man in any respect, you understand?” Rodgers mentioned. “So … concepts that I’ve or concepts that a few of the receivers are giving to me to provide to him, all the pieces is considered, which I actually respect.”