Aaron Rodgers isn’t just happy to end his own personal four-year postseason drought. He’s also glad the Steelers making the playoffs calmed the debate over Mike Tomlin’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“At 6-6, a lot of people thought we were going to stumble and then who knows what’s going to happen,” Rodgers saidvia 93.7 The Fan, indicating rumors and fan chatter that Tomlin’s job may be in jeopardy. “Many of you in this group, either publicly or privately, have probably been talking about Mike T being fired. So it’s good to shut down all those comments.”
Rodgers and the Steelers clinched the AFC North title and the accompanying playoff berth Sunday night with a nail-biting victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
“They’re going to have to try and find something to go after him. Mike T is probably like me,” Rodgers said, via ESPN: “Don’t give a s— about any of those comments. But it’s fun because we all love him and want to play for him and want to win for him.”
As far as Rodgers is concerned, it doesn’t matter what has happened before Monday’s Wild Card game against the Houston Texans. The Steelers’ opportunities are still in front of them.
“Clean sheet now, anybody can run,” Rodgers said. “We’ve won four out of five. I like our chances.”
Rodgers has gotten plenty out of his experience in Pittsburgh so far, returning from two tough years with the Jets to lead the Steelers to their first division title since 2020. Reflecting on his time in New York, he said the Steelers had “no leaks in the boat,” which Rodgers said was “the opposite of where I was.”
Questions about Tomlin and Rodgers and their fates for next season could resurface if the Steelers lose in the playoffs. But even with the ups and downs the Steelers have faced, the 42-year-old QB said this season so far has been refreshing.
“To go through a season like that and be able to focus on football and not have a lot of other little bulls — out there has been really good,” he said.