Why Aaron Rodgers' Steelers Debut Was Each Encouraging And Ominous

Ralph Vacchiano

NFL Reporter

Aaron Rodgers knew that when he left the New York Jets in February, “there have been most likely individuals within the group that didn’t assume I may play anymore.” He wasn’t fallacious. Many across the league shared that opinion, too.

For one superb afternoon, although, Rodgers silenced his doubters with a four-touchdown masterpiece in his return to the Meadowlands for his revenge sport towards the Jets. In main his new crew, the Pittsburgh Steelers, to a 34-32 win, he displayed most of his previous, great traits — the sturdy arm, the pinpoint accuracy, the sensible decision-making.

He introduced hope to the whole metropolis of Pittsburgh together with his 22-of-30, 244-yard efficiency and the drive that led to Chris Boswell’s game-winning, 60-yard discipline aim. He regarded just like the Rodgers of previous, not an previous Rodgers.

However there’s an undercurrent of fear with the whole lot Rodgers does this season.

“How lengthy can it final?” an NFL govt informed Fox Sports activities. “That’s my fear with him. He’s nonetheless obtained the power to be a top-10 quarterback. However for a way lengthy? The Steelers are going to spend the season holding their breath.”

Aaron Rodgers is the primary QB in 60 years to throw 4 touchdowns and 240 yards with out an interception in a crew debut. (Picture by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs)

That’s the query that’s going to hover over Rodgers and the Steelers all season lengthy, as a result of the long run Corridor of Famer isn’t simply chasing one final championship, he’s attempting to out-run Father Time. He’s 41 and coming off two injury-plagued seasons, and he’s at an age the place as soon as the accidents begin, they don’t often cease.

So, sure, he can nonetheless sling it with the very best of them as he confirmed on Sunday. To be truthful, he confirmed it final yr, too, when he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets. And sure, if he retains doing that, the Steelers are going to be a Tremendous Bowl contender.

However some who watched him Sunday afternoon couldn’t shake the sensation that catastrophe feels to be simply half a step away.

“In a single sport I noticed the whole lot I like, and the whole lot that scares me about Aaron Rodgers,” an AFC scout informed Fox Sports activities after the sport. “He’s the neatest quarterback within the league. He is aware of the place the performs are. And when he throws, he places the ball the place solely his man can catch it. He can nonetheless throw it far sufficient, too.

“However his legs look gone. He used to have the ability to get out of bother and create performs outdoors of the pocket. Now he seems to be like a sitting duck. That’s OK if he will get the ball out quick. However he’s additionally 41, (two years faraway from) a serious harm, and he was banged up all final yr.

“So, yeah, he may very well be nice for the Steelers. However I don’t understand how lengthy he can survive.”

It’s not even the fear a couple of catastrophic harm, just like the torn Achilles 4 performs into his Jets profession in 2023. It’s extra in regards to the total toll a pounding will tackle his getting older physique. Rodgers was sacked 4 occasions by the Jets, together with on the primary snap of the sport (by Jets DT Quinnen Williams) and was hit not less than 4 or 5 different occasions.

That’s nothing new, after all. Rodgers has been sacked an NFL-record 575 occasions as he begins his twenty first NFL season. In 5 seasons, he was sacked 40 or extra occasions (together with final yr) and twice his sack whole topped 50. He’s by no means precisely been Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen when it comes to mobility.

“However he may at all times escape bother,” the manager mentioned. “He was a grasp at getting out of bother and calmly getting himself right into a place to alter the dynamics of a play. That’s the half I’m skeptical about. The arm, the mind … it’s all nonetheless there. And I don’t want him to run. However how a lot can he transfer? And the way a lot will he be capable to transfer in December?

“It’s the gamble the Steelers made. They know he’s on borrowed time. They only need to see how far they will trip him. And it could be far. He can play. At his finest, he’s obtained a shot to nonetheless be the most effective in soccer.

“It’s simply that the chance of breaking down over time is actual.”

It’s, certainly, a bet. It paid off Sunday as Rodgers threw 4 landing passes for the thirty fifth time in his profession. However at 41 years and 279 days, he was the third-oldest participant to ever do it. There have been quarterbacks which have performed into their 40s and performed nicely, however solely Tom Brady — who gained Tremendous Bowls at 41 and 43 — has performed championship soccer at that superior age.

The others who got here shut all broke down ultimately, to various levels. Will it occur to Rodgers? It didn’t Sunday not less than, which made his Steelers begin much better than his Jets one.

And to be truthful to Rodgers, all 4 of his landing passes did contain him rolling out not less than slightly, so it’s not like he was only a statue within the pocket all day lengthy. He’s not a menace to run, however his two fourth-quarter landing passes — 5 yards to working again Jaylen Warren and 18 yards to receiver Calvin Austin — have been a reminder that he can nonetheless throw on the transfer.

Or to place it one other manner: He can nonetheless do what he must do.

And that’s actually what the Steelers have been relying on, and what Rodgers needed to indicate his doubters in his previous group. He’s a delicate soul who was clearly bothered by the whispers that the Jets thought he couldn’t play anymore.

“So it was good to remind these individuals,” he mentioned, “that I nonetheless can.”

He positively can. His physique could also be slightly extra fragile, and it creaks in a couple of extra locations, and he most likely takes a bit longer to rise up within the morning. However so long as he can rise up, and hold getting up for the following 4-5 months, he can nonetheless throw it with the very best of them.

However it’s all only a matter of time at this level. Sure, he can nonetheless play like an incredible quarterback. However there is a caveat and it is a essential one:

For now.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent six years protecting the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Each day Information. Comply with him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

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