Steelers' Isaac Seumalo May Have Big Problem With Aaron Rodgers Playing Quarterback For Pittsburgh

One of the most important positional groups for the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout the course of the 2025 NFL season will be the offensive line. The unit is relatively young, but from a leadership perspective, has Isaac Seumalo to thank for setting a great example. He is the glue that holds the group together, which is why it wasn't ideal when he missed four contests during the 2024 campaign. The hope is that he stays healthy for the entirety of 2025, but there is also one small issue that may be developing for him when it comes to his new quarterback: Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback of all-time when it comes to snap counts. He is known for getting defenders to jump offsides frequently, which can earn a free play for the offense. This is something that can be looked at as a unique weapon, but it also has the potential to lead to self destruction. It's not easy to keep track of when the ball is actually going to be snapped.

Mike DeFabo of the The Athletic went into detail about Rodgers' cadence in a recent story. The reporter mentioned that it could lead to false start penalties throughout the year.

"As dangerous as it is for defenses, it’s a device that can also self-destruct, coaxing his own team to jump before the snap," DeFabo wrote. "That’s why Steelers offensive linemen spent a portion of the summer getting used to the new voice behind center."

While Seumalo may be the most experienced individual on the line, he had the most trouble in 2024 when it came to remaining still until the ball was snapped. He led the group with four false start penalties, and it's not ideal that he did so while only competing in 13 matchups. The combination of his tendencies and Rodgers' difficult pre-snap routine could lead to issues, especially early on in the season.

Self-inflicted wounds will always be something that has the potential to ruin a team's momentum. The Steelers need to take every opportunity they can to put points on the board, and pre-snap penalties are not something that will be viewed as beneficial in any way, shape, or form. Seumalo is a veteran leader for the offense, who is probably the second-most important experienced individual on the offense as a whole, behind Rodgers.

False starts won't be tolerated and after a rocky 2024 campaign in the department, Pittsburgh cannot afford to lose yardage because of Seumalo's lack of discipline. Rodgers won't be happy if any of the big men up front jump early, but it will particularly be frustrating for the signal-caller if his most senior starting lineman is having issues with the cadences.

While the defense is expected to carry the load for the Steelers in 2025, a strong offense will be able to take the team to the next level. The organization is relying on Rodgers a ton, so his unique way of calling for the ball pre-snap could be a defining weapon for Pittsburgh. There's also the chance that it becomes a weakness if certain players are having a tough time following along.

Steelers Need To Make Sure That Rodgers' Cadence Is An Advantage

If the offensive line has trouble with how its quarterback wants to operate before the snap, then the team is going to have to make it a little bit easier to follow along which, in turn, makes it more simple for the defense to catch on. Seumalo is a silent assassin that likely has several players looking up to him. The last thing the offense needs is the veteran struggling with false starts.

Do you think the Steelers' offense will be better in 2025 than in previous years? Let us know in the comments below!

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