Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Grateful For "Meaningful Games In December" Again As He Reflects On Jets Tenure

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their Monday Night Football contest atop the AFC North and are playing meaningful football, as they usually do, well into December. On Thursday, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers met with the media and was asked about that, and much more as the 42-year-old is in the late stages of his first season with Pittsburgh. Rodgers will lead the Steelers against the Miami Dolphins in primetime at Acrisure Stadium, as the Dolphins are scratching and clawing their way into AFC Playoff contention themselves. 

Rodgers spoke to playing meaningful games in December, the contrast between playing for the Green Bay Packers, Steelers, the New York Jets, and much more.

"It's been a couple years since I've played in meaningful games in December," Rodgers said. "You got to be in position and playing the right way late in the season. Good to be a part of a big-time game last Sunday and the rest of these will all be the same."

Rodgers saw a lot of success during his time in Green Bay with the Packers and continued his comments on Thursday regarding that.

"We had a run from 2009-2016 where we didn't miss the playoffs in Green Bay and won the division a number of times in that stretch," Rodgers explained.

As you continue to listen to Rodgers discuss those times in Green Bay, as well as the current standing of the Steelers, it's clear that the veteran signal-caller begins to explain why he did not enjoy his time in New York, while also realizing that there is plenty of work in front of the Steelers (even after their Week 14 victory against the Baltimore Ravens). 

Rodgers all but said so when he spoke to the media on Thursday.

"When you're a part of an organization like that, which I was in Green Bay, and then didn't have it in New York, it makes a big difference," said Rodgers.

Rodgers sees stability in the current state of the Steelers, regardless of the recent fan anger, especially directed towards Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Rodgers also added that with the right leadership in place in the NFL, you don't make knee-jerk reactions, but rather deal with the ups and downs that come with the grind of an NFL season. If there is a team that is used to ups and downs as of late, the Steelers are extremely familiar with those circumstances. 

Steelers Seeing Better Leadership With Aaron Rodgers

What makes a difference for this year's Steelers team with the ups and downs, is they are led by Rodgers, who has experienced sustained success in his 21-season NFL journey. Rodgers mentioned the many ups that he experienced in Green Bay, while also eluding to the success the team has seen as an organization.

Rodgers will have another chance to add to the Steelers' strive for continued success, as they look to increase their chances of winning the AFC North Monday night should they win against the Dolphins. It certainly will not come easy, as the Steelers announced Thursday that their All-Pro outside linebacker TJ Watt was in the hospital with a lung injury sustained during a procedure at the Steelers' facility on Wednesday. 

Watt is not the only one with a designated injury concern, however, as safety Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon are both trying to get healthy and receive the active designation for Monday night's tilt in the Steel City. One thing is clear, however, that the Steelers have not had in recent years in these situations -- Pittsburgh has a humble, experienced, and successful quarterback in Rodgers that is not taking these December games lightly. 

Do you think the Steelers have the right quarterback in place to lead them to an AFC North title? Let us know in the comments below!

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