The Pittsburgh Steelers have been excellent on the offensive side of the football in recent weeks. Jaylen Warren was credited with an impressive 127 yards on the ground during Thursday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and the running back continues to make an impact following his return from an injury. Pittsburgh will face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night as Aaron Rodgers and the rest of Pittsburgh's offense will look to stay hot.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers warms up before playing the Cincinnati Bengals on the road during the 2025 season.
The Steelers' offense had multiple question marks prior to Week 1 of the 2025 regular season. Speculation continued to surround the 41 year old Rodgers and his ability to still compete, but the veteran has been very solid through the first seven weeks of play.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin took a moment to speak with the media earlier on Tuesday and was able to share his thoughts on the offense, as well as Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Tomlin praised Smith for his adaptability as Smith has worked with three different starting quarterbacks throughout his first season and a half in Pittsburgh.
"I think that's one of the things that was attractive to me about him," Tomlin stated. "The same could be said for his time spent in Tennessee and Atlanta, quarterbacks with various skill sets. He's been around a variety of guys, but he has always been adaptable."
Tomlin continued to point out that adaptability is a major component to coaching, as Smith has done an excellent job given the changes over the past year and some change.
"Adaptability is a major component of coaching, and he's very good at it," Tomlin said of Smith. "He certainly has a mode of operation, things that he values, but he's pliable enough to bring the ball not only to his quarterback and their skill set, but to the talent that is within the collective as well."
Smith is currently in the midst of his second season as the Steelers' offensive coordinator. He has worked with a number of different quarterbacks and receivers in a very short timeframe in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers' offense has been excellent during the early stages of his second season. Smith will be faced with a true test on Sunday night against the Packers as the Steelers' offense will need to be at their best against Micah Parsons and the Packers' defense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has shown a surprising mixture of strength and speed to match his passionate running style
Smith and Pittsburgh's offense will need to set the tone early against Green Bay. Rodgers will face his former team for the first time in his 21-year career and will need to be at his best throughout all four quarters of the matchup. That will take a healthy mix of efficient play-calling from Smith, and above-average play from Rodgers. Green Bay will enter the contest fresh off of a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh's defense will need to step it up in similar fashion to the offense.
Packers Head Coach Sends Direct Message To Steelers Ahead Of Week 8
Matt LaFleur was asked about the significance of facing Rodgers next Sunday, but the head coach was hesitant to go into detail, as he believes the contest is just another game. LaFleur has been the Packers' head coach since 2019 and coached Rodgers in Green Bay until he was traded to the New York Jets in 2023.
Newsweek
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during his time with the Green Bay Packers under Head Coach Matt LeFleur.
LaFleur's message to Rodgers and the rest of Pittsburgh's offense is expected. The Packers have been one of the hottest teams in football over the first seven weeks of play and have shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as a quick start on the offensive side of the ball for Pittsburgh will be a crucial component to victory on Sunday night. Rodgers will look to continue his hot start to the season against his former team in Week 8 as the game could prove to have a serious impact on the playoff picture down the line. Smith will need to continue to be adaptable as well for the Steelers to have a legit shot.
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