Aaron Rodgers publicly addressed the struggles between himself and the Steelers’ wide receivers following a disappointing 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Rodgers completed only 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards, marking one of his lowest performances in games with at least 20 attempts. He attributed part of the offensive woes to miscommunication, urging his receivers to attend film sessions and run the correct routes.
Rodgers said, "When there’s film sessions, everybody shows up, and when I check to a route, you do the right route." He also admitted to poor throws, such as an overshot pass to Roman Wilson and a timing error with tight end Jonnu Smith, highlighting ongoing issues in syncing with his targets. Rodgers acknowledged the fans’ boos were justified, calling the performance "boo-worthy" and expressing his own disappointment.
Fans’ Reaction and Team Accountability
The Steelers offense struggled significantly, producing only 166 yards — the third-lowest total under coach Mike Tomlin’s tenure. Fans in Pittsburgh grew restless, booing during offensive drives and loudly chanting "Fire Tomlin" late in the game. Receiver Calvin Austin III agreed with the fan base, stating, "We ain’t meeting the standard" and recognizing their responsibility to deliver a performance worthy of fan support.
Tomlin openly shared fans’ frustration, saying, "We didn’t do enough, and that’s just the reality of it." Despite fan unrest, Rodgers reaffirmed his confidence in the coaching staff and called for accountability among players, himself included.
Practice and Preparation Concerns
Rodgers pointed to subpar practice sessions leading up to the game, citing inconsistent tempo and energy as factors. "I’m not sure if it was cold weather or what it was, but it wasn’t our best week of practice," he said, emphasizing the need to improve preparation.
Defense Also Fell Short
Defensive edge rusher T.J. Watt admitted the defense came out "flat," allowing 249 rushing yards to Buffalo—the most the Steelers have surrendered in nearly 50 years. Watt noted the team’s inability to stop repeated running plays and described the defense as lacking the necessary aggressiveness currently.
With five weeks left in the regular season, Rodgers stressed the importance of a focused and productive week of practice to regain control of the division and meet the high expectations of Steelers fans.
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