Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers Shares Brutally Honest Reaction to Pittsburgh Steelers' Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Dougherty | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 10:34 AM ET

The NFL preseason is a time when many players are fighting for a spot on the roster, but Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't see as much value in it.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced this week that Rodgers, along with several other veterans, would be sitting out the team's first preseason game. The decision will allow the team to focus more on constructing the bottom of the roster and figuring out which players to cut, which was fine by Rodgers.

The 41-year-old quarterback said in a radio appearance that playing in the preseason does little for a player of his experience and stature. Rodgers noted that defenses are reluctant to show much during the p reseason, making the experience far different than a real game.

Rodgers even went so far as to say the preseason is "not necessarily real football."

"I'm totally on board," Rodgers said, per 93.7 The Fan. "If [Tomlin] wants me to play, I'll play. If not, then I won't. ... Preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don't really do a lot."

Rodgers added that the Steelers' offense has been coming together well after some early missteps in practice.

"Our defense, obviously we added a lot of pieces to it," Rodgers said. "Always early in camp, with the pads going, the defense seems to have the edge, and then second week, it starts to turn a little bit. So I feel like we've been playing better."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: