Steelers' Miles Killebrew Detailed How Aaron Rodgers Has Been Helpful To More Than Just The Offense

Numerous members of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been raving about how great of a teammate Aaron Rodgers has been since he first signed with the team before mandatory minicamp. Despite all the question marks about his recent tenure with the New York Jets, his football IQ has never been questioned. Just about everyone on the offensive side of the ball has vouched about how he has coached them up and helped them grow on the field, and the expectation is that that will continue throughout the 2025 season, hopefully with fewer frustrations than normal.

Rodgers has been even more helpful than expected in fact. While making an appearance on Not Just Football with Cameron Heyward, special teams ace Miles Killebrew spoke about how Rodgers has been talking to defensive guys about how they can be better as well.

"[Aaron Rodgers] talks to everybody about how they can be better," Killebrew said. "I was talking to some corners yesterday, and they were telling me about how [No.] 8 was breaking down how they can do this differently, and be better in disguise, and that was cool."

As a quarterback, you still have to be very knowledgeable about how each defensive position works to be able to properly figure out how to beat them. Rodgers has won four MVP Awards from his ability to know what the opposing secondary is trying to do and taking advantage of that. Of course, some teams do figure out a way to trick him, and that's what he learns from. 

Rodgers knows how defenses successfully fool him, so he can give that information to his own defense and explain to them how to make opposing quarterbacks look bad. Even though the secondary has been completely revamped with numerous veterans being brought on, it never hurts to teach them an extra little trick. Of course, teaching young guys like Joey Porter Jr. is always welcomed. 

The Steelers are relying on Rodgers' ability to coach to finally help the organization achieve their goal of winning a game in the playoffs. Every time they make it into January football as of late, they look lost and confused as the opponents get yards and points at will. Hopefully, Rodgers' IQ, combined with insane talent on the defensive side of the ball, will get Pittsburgh over the hump. 

Steelers Have Been Desperate For Leadership On Offense

Ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have gone through quarterback purgatory. There was some sort of drama with nearly every passer that came through. Kenny Pickett was supposed to be the future, but he ran himself out of town after throwing a fit on multiple occasions. He proved to the team that he was not a leader, and that his mindset was not what is expected out of a supposed franchise quarterback. 

In 2024, the Steelers had Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as their passers. Fields at least seemed like a leader, despite his young age, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin benched him the first chance he got. Instead, Wilson came in and quickly butted heads with the coaching staff to the point where they refused to bring him back. When they lowballed Fields and he left, it came out that he felt like he was lied to, which Pittsburgh probably did not appreciate at all.

While Rodgers' leadership was questioned after his time with the Jets, the Steelers did not see what many fans saw. Instead, they fully believed that he was a piece that they had been searching for years to get. Early reports say that they were right all along, but everything will truly be tested when the regular season starts, as they will run into a rough patch like most teams do.

What do you think about Rodgers coaching the Steelers' defense, as well as the offense? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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