"Geriatric Patient": Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Faces All-Time Criticism After Pitiful Showing

There is no way to sugarcoat the performance that the Pittsburgh Steelers put on display against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. The 25-10 loss was arguably the worst of the season, and one of the main takeaways had to have been the play of Aaron Rodgers. The veteran is competing in what very well could be his final professional season, and his age was evident on Sunday evening. While he escaped the contest without any kind of clear physical ailments, the mental side of his game may be trending downward. The signal-caller looked hesitant, and almost scared, in the pocket.

It was very easy to watch the matchup and realize just how poorly the Steelers performed offensively, but Rodgers was the sore thumb that stuck out. The offensive line didn't do him too many favors either, which was one of the biggest reasons why the quarterback was leaving the pocket very early. He seemed to be planning to get hit sooner rather than later, a sign that his trust may have been at an all-time low with the big men up front.

Mark Kaboly has covered the organization for years, and he did not mince words regarding the future Hall of Famer's game on Sunday night. The reporter was very direct when referring to Rodgers as being elderly. 

"Rodgers looked like a geriatric patient against a susceptible Chargers defense, throwing the ball high, low, holding onto it too long, trying to scramble out of trouble, and, in one instance, scrambling into a safety," Kaboly wrote.

Anyone who did watch the primetime event would agree that Rodgers looked as if he was moving in slow motion. One game of football could be enough to make a 41-year-old ready to retire, but this specific individual is already 10 weeks into the NFL season. It could get worse if his body is breaking down a bit. Kaboly mentioned that the signal-caller gave off the vibe that he may be ready to hang up his cleats.

"For the first time as a Steeler, Rodgers – the oldest player in the NFL – looked like he wanted to be anywhere but playing football (maybe an ayahuasca retreat) couple of weeks before his 42nd birthday, and he wasn’t running from it afterwards," Kaboly noted.

The Steelers' remaining schedule is far from easy moving forward. It's only going to get more difficult, which is not a good sign if Rodgers' body is starting to give in to the physical (and mental) components of a professional season. The performance may have been a one-off, but fans will be paying close attention to how he plays in Week 11 versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rodgers was never going to be asked to move with the same speed as he once did, but the offensive line needs to play better if the quarterback wants to be the best version of himself. He will turn 42 years old shortly after Thanksgiving, and having trust that his blockers can give him more time in the pocket will be crucial. It didn't seem to be present on Sunday.

No one in his or her 40s ever wants to be related to an older individual with health issues, but that's exactly what Kaboly did to Rodgers. A lot of fans may have been thinking it, but the reporter actually put pen to paper, if you will.

Steelers' Future At Quarterback Remains Big Mystery

It remains expected that Rodgers will retire following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign. Even if he doesn't, games like Sunday's remind fans that the organization still has no legitimate long-term plan at the most important position in all of sports. This will continue to be a talking point, especially because of just how talented the majority of quarterbacks are in the AFC.

Do you think that the Steelers are disappointed in Rodgers' play against the Chargers? Let us know in the comments below!

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