Steelers coach sends warning to receivers about being on 'same page' as Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni previously held the same position with the New York Jets during the two seasons quarterback Aaron Rodgers was with the AFC East team.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Azzanni addressed Rodgers' reputation for being tough on his receivers throughout the season.

"I've been with Aaron before, so I know that," Azzanni explained, Steelers Depot's Matthew Marczi shared. "But I love that challenge. I like that. I would rather have someone that's dialed into the detail on the perimeter. And those guys ultimately have to be on the same page, so I understand that [Rodgers is] hard on receivers. And I like that, because I'm hard on receivers."

During his final seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers allegedly quizzed younger receivers ahead of games about the numerous hand signals the future Hall of Famer used while changing routes and other aspects of plays at the line of scrimmage. More recently, a report from this past spring claimed that Rodgers and top Jets wideout Garrett Wilson "never saw eye-to-eye."

Rodgers only officially signed his Pittsburgh contract shortly before the club's mandatory minicamp got underway on Tuesday. While he missed out on building chemistry with receivers throughout the spring, he has impressed his new teammates with a "super down-to-earth" personality that is "not at all what you would expect."

However, Azzanni delivered somewhat of a warning to Pittsburgh receivers about what they can expect to hear from Rodgers when team practices resume in late July. 

"At the end of the day, those guys have to be on the same page or none of this stuff matters," Azzanni added. "Those guys have to be dialed in together, and when they don't do it right, [Rodgers is] gonna make sure that they know it. And I bet you that the next time they do it right. It means a lot more coming from him than it does a coach." 

ESPN's Brooke Pryor noted that Rodgers said this week he would try to convince some teammates "to come out to Malibu" for workouts during the Steelers' summer break. History shows Pittsburgh wide receivers should accept that invitation if it proves to be genuine.