Aaron Rodgers Faces One Perfectly Clear Obstacle Next Season

"I went to the Jets-Patriots game last year, and the thing that was sticking out about Aaron that was different was ... it's almost like the body is tired and doesn't want to take the hit. ... There's a lot of flinching.

"I would say his vision is going from reading the field to the rush, which isn't usually normal for high-level quarterbacks. High-level quarterbacks are kind of able to feel the rush and then they're able to keep their eyes downfield."

Quarterbacks not named Tom Brady struggle mightily in maintaining the elite aspects of their game once they cross into their 40s. Rodgers, now age 41, has failed to reach 4,000 passing yards each of the last two seasons he has actually played, something he only did once in seasons where he missed fewer than five games. 

For a quarterback, that pocket presence is almost like a sixth sense. If that goes, quarterbacks become limited in a noticeable capacity. 

The Steelers will hope to mask some of these shortcomings by the veteran with a run-heavy attack and a stout defense capable of setting up Rodgers in more advantageous situations. 

But Poppinga, a linebacker who played with Rodgers from 2005-10, is not the only one noticing these changes. Much of the doubt in Rodgers and the Steelers this season stems from this concern and those similar to it. 

Until these concerns are negated by results on the field, Rodgers' age will be a primary narrative around the Steelers' offense.