Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has Interesting Admission About Aaron Rodgers' Current Comfort Level

The Pittsburgh Steelers may very well be the last stop of Aaron Rodgers' incredible career. The veteran signed a one-year deal with the franchise, and the expectation is that he will announce his retirement in the 2026 offseason. Many are interested to see how he plays, given the fact that the last two years with the New York Jets did not go as planned for the signal-caller. There has always seemed to be a connection between Rodgers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin, so the dynamic between the two will be something to look out for as training camp progresses.

If Rodgers is fully healthy and stays that way, it's possible for the Steelers' offensive unit to reach new heights in 2025. One of the biggest hurdles to jump over will be getting familiar, as there are a lot of new faces throughout the roster following a busy offseason. Rodgers, however, is the most important and his veteran prowess will be leaned on quite often.

Tomlin spoke to members of the media after practice on Thursday and talked a little bit about his new starting quarterback. There is absolutely a ton of mutual respect between the two, but despite Rodgers having one of the most brilliant minds in the history of football, Tomlin isn't quite sure that the signal-caller is completely up to speed with his new environment.

"I like [his progress], but certainly we're still pushing forward toward comfort every day," Tomlin said. "You got to remember the guy wasn't here in the spring, and so this is a big process for him here. He's doing a really good job of dialoguing and communicating with his 'eligibles,' the people that he works with, but we'll just keep punching that clock every day."

The Steelers have another month and change before the games matter, but it's no guarantee that Rodgers will play in the preseason, so the repetitions he gets during practices are essential. It's good to hear that he is communicating with his teammates and leading, but fans will want to see a bunch of rapport displayed on the field come September. The franchise can't afford a slow start with a relatively manageable early schedule.

The Steelers know a lot about turnover at the quarterback position, and the organization is currently going through it once again in 2025. Since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 campaign, it has been a challenge for the front office to find stability at what can be labeled the most important position in all of sports. Rodgers is a quick learner, but it's evident that Tomlin is not sold just yet that he is fully comfortable in the black and gold.

Pittsburgh will play in a very tough AFC North division, which is why getting everyone on the same page as soon as possible is important. It's interesting to note that Tomlin mentioned Rodgers not being around in the spring. The franchise had no issues with Rodgers taking his time when it came to making a decision, so if the offense starts the season slow, fans may be quick to mention that the starting quarterback didn't show up until June.

Turnover is something that all NFL teams go through from year to year, so it's not necessarily uncommon, but constant change at the quarterback position is a different story. Rodgers still has some work to do, per Tomlin, and roughly a month or so to do it.

Steelers Need Big Offensive Boost In 2025

The defense in Pittsburgh is expected to be stout once again in 2025, but the offense needs to take the next step. Rodgers will lead the way for a group that absolutely needs to put together better performances and be more consistent. The overall expectation is that any and all kinks get worked out before the Steelers have to play in regular season action.

Do you think Rodgers signing in June could hurt the start of the Steelers' season? Let us know in the comments below!

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