Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Makes It Clear He's Not Happy After Big Win

The Pittsburgh Steelers headed over to Dublin, Ireland for the international Week 4 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers were slight underdogs in the contest but ended up beating the Vikings 24-21 on Sunday morning. It was a great victory for the Steelers to get, but not everyone was fully happy with it. 

Aaron Rodgers played great, and during crunch time in the game, it was obvious Rodgers wanted to keep the offense on the field and give them a chance to win. Tomlin chose to punt the football when the Steelers' offense needed just half a yard on a fourth down that would have sealed the game.

After the game, Rodgers spoke with the media where he revealed he was thankful for the win, but not pleased with how things unfolded. The veteran quarterback admitted he was frustrated with himself for not putting the offense in a better position earlier, but he also made it clear that he disagreed with Mike Tomlin’s decision to punt. In Rodgers’ eyes, the offense had momentum, confidence, and the opportunity to close the door on the Vikings without giving them another chance to drive down the field. His comments made it clear that while he respects Tomlin, the decision to play it safe did not sit well with him.

"I think we kind of played the kind of football up front that we wanted to in the run game," Rodgers said while speaking to the Pittsburgh media. "They played cover high and we looked at it all week. Kenny [Gainwell] had a really good game with Jaylen [Warren] out and then DK [Metcalf] sparked us in the first half and the defense did enough to hold on, but we got to finish that game on offense."

This moment highlights the growing dynamic between Rodgers and Tomlin as they navigate the season together. Rodgers has always been known for his competitive fire and belief in trusting his arm in critical situations. Tomlin, on the other hand, leaned on his defensive mindset and chose the conservative route in a game played on international soil. 

While the Steelers escaped with a win, Rodgers’ public comments serve as a reminder that the standard he holds himself and his team to is championship level, and he expects every decision, including those on fourth down, to reflect that mindset. 

While every decision to punt or go for it will always be scrutinized no matter what the coach decides, this one carried extra weight. A head coach who often says he does not live in his fears certainly looked like he did in that moment.

By punting, the Steelers gave the Vikings' offense a chance to go back on the field with two elite wide receivers and momentum on their side. Although Minnesota had a long way to drive with no timeouts, the decision opened the door instead of closing it. Both sides of the argument can be made, but in the modern NFL, teams are becoming more confident and more successful in trusting their offenses in those situations. The Steelers, however, often look hesitant and uncertain in those moments.

Steelers' Offense Forced Mike Tomlin To Get Risky Earlier In The Contest

Earlier in the game, Tomlin faced a similar situation and initially wanted to kick a field goal. Rodgers and guard Mason McCormick waved the kicking unit off, insisting on keeping the offense out there. 

Tomlin eventually relented, but the Steelers failed to convert. Rodgers’ postgame comments suggest he is not just criticizing Tomlin, but also putting the responsibility on himself to ensure that the offense finishes games with first downs rather than leaving it up to the defense.

What were your biggest takeaways from the Steelers' Week 4 victory over the Vikings in Dublin, Ireland? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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