Aaron Rodgers Stands Up For Steelers' Coaching Staff Amidst Fans Begging For Change

The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly have their season on the brink of slipping away as the group has just lost its sixth game of 2025. The AFC North as a whole has been subpar at best this year, and Pittsburgh and the Baltimore Ravens are each at the top of the division. The Ravens are slightly now leading the way as they hold the tiebreaker record-wise. Pittsburgh's playoff hopes are still very much alive as the franchise can still win the division, but many within the fan base would rather see some meaningful change, versus the miserable effort in the postseason the Steelers have displayed over the course of the last few seasons.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is under fire after the loss to Buffalo in Week 13. His players are constantly out of position and not in spots to make plays. That falls on the players too of course, but at the end of the day, the defensive scheme and the overall offensive philosophy are just not where they need to be. Fans began chanting to fire the head coach during the game on Sunday, and that was even heard on the broadcast. 

Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked about the chants during his postgame press conference, where he stood up for the staff and shifted blame onto the players.

"I know what you're trying to ask, and I'm not going to go down that road at all," Rodgers said. "I believe in the coaching staff. I believe in Mike Tomlin. That’s why I came here. Players need to take accountability. Myself included. I will. And I will continue to. I’ve got to play better. But there's 11 starters on offense, 11 starters on defense, plus all the personnel groupings that we run. We've got to have a Monday through Saturday that we can really be proud of."

Rodgers clearly believed he was being baited into stating something bad about the coaching staff or about Tomlin himself, but he did not take the bait. He instead focused on how the players need to do a better job preparing for games and taking accountability for their shortcomings and poor performances. He included himself in that equation, as he bashed his own performance several times while speaking with the media.

Rodgers and Tomlin have not always been on the same page in 2025. There have been plenty of instances where Rodgers has been frustrated coming off of the field on fourth down when he felt like Pittsburgh should go for it, or he has come off the field upset with play calls which falls on Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Despite the clear and obvious frustration at times, Rodgers still stood up for the coaching staff while speaking to the media -- which is a good thing considering the quarterback's history of calling out his former coaches in public.

Although the offense has not been good throughout this difficult skid in the season, the defense is still the bigger concern. The organization has poured a ton of resources into that side of the ball, so the coaches contributing to that mess are the ones catching most of the heat.

Steelers' Teryl Austin Should Be On The Hot Seat

Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin is probably the only coach on the staff that truly needs to worry about his status throughout the rest of the season. He is entering Matt Canada territory, which means he could be let go midseason. That is something the organization rarely does. Austin is the defensive play-caller on game days and puts together the game plan with Tomlin throughout the week, so he would essentially just be a scapegoat if he does end up being let go and Tomlin stays. 

As for Tomlin, he is under contract through 2027. That won't stop the chants for his firing however, if the Steelers don't turn their season around.

What do you think about Rodgers' remarks? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation