Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Gives Strong Advice To Aaron Rodgers After Hearing About His Alleged Struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of intrigue surrounding their 2025 season. The addition of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers has piqued the interest of fans across the world, and many are unsure what to expect from the four-time league MVP. With a roster full of talent and several new faces, the Steelers enter the season with high hopes and plenty of questions.

It will take time for the team to build chemistry, especially on offense. There are new players at critical positions, and the unit is still trying to find its rhythm in training camp. So far, Rodgers and the offense have faced some challenges, particularly during the team’s seven shots drill, which has long been a key competitive period in Steelers practices.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger addressed those early struggles during his new episode of Footbahlin on Tuesday. He offered advice based on his own experience and encouraged Rodgers to find smart and simple ways to spark the offense when it is not clicking. Roethlisberger believes that small adjustments, like changing the cadence or calling a trick play, can help shift momentum and get things going in the right direction.

"Honestly, and I do know Aaron is a Hall of Famer, I do not need to tell him what to do, but if we are struggling offensively, especially in that seven shots, 'cause I had heard they did seven shots at the beginning and the end of practice, if you are struggling, find a way to get a win," Roethlisberger explained.

Roethlisberger speculated that maybe Mike Tomlin had set up another round of seven shots to give the offense another chance. He wasn’t certain because he wasn’t there, but that was his guess.

Roethlisberger also offered Rodgers his best advice. He wanted to be careful and made sure to remain respectful as he talked about the four-time league MVP. Still, Roethlisberger knows how to lift an offense when it's struggling.

"Like, I sure as heck—at least once a week—I could get TJ [Watt] offside because he is itching to go… That’s a way to get a win: using the snap count to your advantage as an offense," Roethlisberger explained. "You have to do that. Get a trick play. Do something to kind of get you going… find some way to really change the tide. One easy way to do that as a quarterback is to change the cadence."

Rodgers was brought in to be the final piece of the puzzle, but it’s clear that the transition won’t be instant. At 41, he still has the arm talent and experience to make an impact, but the Steelers need to put him in the right situations to succeed. That means building trust with the offensive line, finding timing with the receivers, and leaning into a strong running game when things stall. The coaching staff knows this offense won’t look perfect in August, but they’re counting on Rodgers to elevate it by the time September rolls around.

Steelers Are Not Asking Aaron To Be "Vintage" Rodgers

Leadership will be just as important as production. Younger players will look to Rodgers not just for big plays but for composure and confidence in tough moments. That’s where a veteran presence makes a difference. He doesn’t need to win games by himself, but he does need to be the steady hand when things go off script.

The Steelers are betting on Rodgers’ experience to help them weather early-season growing pains. With one of the league’s top defenses behind him and a physical, run-first approach being emphasized, Rodgers doesn’t need to be the Rodgers of old. He just needs to be the right fit for this version of the Steelers.

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