Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Speaks Out On Jaylen Warren's Crucial Mistake In Week 7

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, falling 33-31 on Thursday Night Football. Joe Flacco and the Bengals’ offense were humming all game, consistently putting pressure on the Steelers’ defense. Pittsburgh’s offense, led by Aaron Rodgers, managed to move the ball effectively for much of the contest. However, costly interceptions at critical moments swung the game in Cincinnati’s favor, and combined with a disappointing showing from the defense, the Steelers came up short in a key divisional matchup. With the loss, Pittsburgh falls to 4-2 on the 2025 season.

During the first quarter, there was a strange play that drew plenty of attention: a botched flea flicker. Rodgers was quickly seen gesturing to running back Jaylen Warren, signaling that the play was not executed as planned. The miscommunication highlighted some of the issues within the Steelers’ offensive unit, and in a game decided by just two points, plays like this can have a significant impact.

After the game, Rodgers addressed the mistake without singling anyone out and made it clear that the play was not a flea flicker. While the Steelers showed flashes of effectiveness on offense, these miscues combined with defensive lapses ultimately cost them the win in a pivotal divisional matchup.

"Yeah, it wasn’t supposed to be a flea flicker," Rodgers told the media after the loss. "Yeah, we just weren’t on the same page."

Warren received the football, but immediately tossed it right back to Rodgers. Rodgers had no choice but to get rid of the ball quickly, and the play essentially went nowhere, a wasted opportunity. These types of small mistakes ultimately cost Pittsburgh the game. The Steelers came in as heavy favorites, but in critical moments, mistakes like this have often been the difference. 

Historically, Mike Tomlin has struggled in these kinds of high-pressure games, and this contest was no exception. Every missed opportunity and misstep seemed to add up, leaving Pittsburgh unable to capitalize despite their talent and expectations. It was pretty clear that a flea flicker wasn’t the right play. How it got messed up is another story, but ultimately Warren was a big reason the Steelers’ offense looked so good. That was just one play, and it did not factor into deciding the outcome of this game. Warren was a star all game, rushing the football 16 times for 127 yards. He also had four catches for 31 receiving yards. Warren was a key part of the offense’s success against the Bengals’ weak defense.

Steelers' Defense Takes A Big Step Back Against Bengals

Ultimately, it was the Steelers’ defense that struggled in Week 7, unable to slow down Flacco. All game, he had his way, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Pittsburgh was only able to sack Flacco twice. It was a disappointing defensive effort from the Steelers.

Pittsburgh couldn’t stop Noah Fant, the tight end, or Chase Brown and the running game, and they struggled to contain Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Overall, it was a significant step back for the Steelers’ defense. Many Steelers fans were hopeful this season would be a little different when it came to these types of games. Thursday night’s showing from Tomlin’s squad was a significant step back, but in the NFL, you will get knocked down. The Steelers will have a chance to bounce back against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

What were your first thoughts when you saw that flea flicker play? 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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