Steelers Legend Takes Major Issue With Team's Rare Approach To Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers have approached the 2025 preseason a little differently than previous years. In all three games, they never played starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While the Steelers aren't the only team to sit their starters, this is the first time they haven't played the Week 1 quarterback in the preseason in over 20 years. While Rodgers insists that joint practice reps are far more valuable than preseason reps anyway, opinions among fans and analysts are divided. 

One person who has taken issue with the Steelers' approach to Rodgers is former Steelers linebacker Chad Brown. In an appearance on ESPN Radio show Freddie and Harry, Brown made some comments on Rodgers not playing in the preseason. 

"There's a reason why the Steelers have not had a starting quarterback in over 20 years that hasn't played in the preseason," Brown said. "That's not the Steeler way of doing things. Mike Tomlin runs a very physical training camp... this move doesn't fit in with that... So, I'm buying into a bit of the hype, but this move, it does give me pause."

While Rodgers is the one in the spotlight for not playing in the preseason, he wasn't the only one sitting out. Some others that didn't play included new wide receiver DK Metcalf and veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward (who is currently in a contract dispute), as well as outside linebacker and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt. Especially since new starters on the defensive side played in the preseason finale last Thursday, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey, some fans are left wondering whether the offense won't have enough chemistry once the regular season kicks off.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Not Concerned With Lack Of Preseason Action For Starters 

While many are concerned about the Steelers' approach to playing starters this preseason, Head Coach Mike Tomlin isn't one of them. In fact, he foreshadowed prior to Preseason Week 2 that there was a chance Rodgers wouldn't play. In an interview with Steelers.com editor Bob Labriola, Tomlin had this to say about sitting the 41-year-old quarterback throughout the entire preseason.

"Hey, this guy has been doing this for 21 years. His cumulative snap total and what's required for him to be ready is different than others," Tomlin explained. "And so if I'm not adaptable and open to adjustments relative to the needs of our guys, then I'm not doing my job. And so you might be looking at one of those coaches [that sits starters] in 2025."

Again, the Steelers aren't the only team resting starters - in fact, there are a growing number of teams doing so. In 2024, 14 teams (almost half the league) didn't play their first string players through the preseason. Is this a trend, or is there valid evidence to back up that there isn't a benefit to playing guys before the season starts? For anyone looking for an answer, the Cincinnati Bengals will be the team to watch. They're taking the opposite approach, playing their starters more in the preseason. They've recently gotten off to notoriously slow starts with elite quarterback Joe Burrow (including an 0-3 start in 2024 that led to them missing the playoffs). 

We will have to wait and see whether the Steelers benefit or falter from resting their starters in the 2025 preseason. While it may not be the "Steeler way," as Chad Brown indicated, this new approach is just one of many changes that Tomlin promised to make following a disappointing end to the 2024 season. Will resting really hurt a 41-year-old four-time Most Valuable Player like Rodgers? The team will find out in two short weeks when they head to New York to take on the Jets in the regular season opener on September 7th.

What do you think about the Steelers' approach to resting starters in the preseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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