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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Turned Up His Play Big Time At Training Camp But There Was Still 1 Huge Issue
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of extra eyeballs on them now that Aaron Rodgers is in the Steel City. Rodgers finally made it official that he’s joining the Steelers for the 2025 season, and the buzz hasn’t slowed down since. While no one is entirely sure what to expect from Rodgers in his first year with Pittsburgh, the expectations are real. With a strong defense and young talent on offense, Rodgers believes the Steelers are true Super Bowl contenders, which is exciting news for fans and the organization.

During Friday’s training camp, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly pointed out, via 93.7 The Fan, that Rodgers has already turned up his play. Kaboly said the veteran quarterback looked sharper and more focused, delivering some of the best passes he’s thrown since arriving in Pittsburgh. One of those passes, a 30-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III, quickly went viral and gave fans a taste of what Rodgers might bring to the offense this season.

Still, Kaboly highlighted a big issue with the now-famous throw. As clean as the pass was, it likely would not have counted in a real game setting. According to Kaboly, TJ Watt had a free shot at Rodgers and would have sacked him if the play had been live. Watt even celebrated in Rodgers’ face after the touchdown, letting him know that the defense is not taking it easy on the future Hall of Famer.

"Yeah, the problem with that, there’s one little issue with that," Kaboly said. "First of all, it was a good throw, it was a really good throw. I think Aaron Rodgers turned it up a little bit of a notch today and made a lot better throws. However, TJ Watt would have sacked him, and TJ Watt made it known that he would have sacked him if that was a contact drill."

Watt has been chasing down Rodgers for years, but this time he’s doing it as a teammate in a practice setting. The dynamic between the two stars is already creating some memorable moments at camp. Hearing more context behind such a widely discussed throw adds even more intrigue to Rodgers' early days in Pittsburgh.

It’s especially exciting for Steelers fans to hear that Rodgers is already stepping up his play. According to Kaboly, the veteran quarterback has taken things to another level, which only fuels the growing optimism around the team. With Rodgers locked in and Pittsburgh’s defense keeping the pressure high, the intensity at training camp is exactly where it needs to be.

"After the touchdown, TJ did his celebration basically in Aaron Rodgers’ face," Kaboly said. "It was nothing malicious or anything like that, but just letting him know, if this was a real game, Aaron, your butt would have been on the ground."

The Steelers’ training camp has only added to the growing excitement surrounding the 2025 season. With so many storylines unfolding, this upcoming year is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Expectations are all over the place. Some fans believe this team has the pieces to make a deep playoff run while others are bracing for potential disappointment if things do not click.

Steelers Have A Huge Spotlight On Their Face Now

Much of the attention centers around the 41-year-old, four-time league MVP who is expected to finish his legendary career in Pittsburgh. His arrival brings both hope and uncertainty as fans wonder whether he still has enough left in the tank to lead the team to a championship. One thing is clear, the spotlight is on and all eyes will be watching how this bold chapter unfolds.

Whether it ends in glory or frustration, the 2025 Steelers season promises drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments. With a reloaded roster, strong leadership, and sky-high stakes, Pittsburgh is once again at the center of the NFL conversation.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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