Steelers' Mike Tomlin opens up about 'bromance' with Aaron Rodgers

During a Wednesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lashed out at those who have criticized Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after losing a fifth straight playoff game in January. 

Later in the program, Tomlin opened up about the "bromance" he has built with Rodgers since the future Hall of Famer joined the Steelers in June. 

"I was just excited to get to know the guy on a personal level," Tomlin said about his interactions with Rodgers throughout the offseason, Steelers Depot's Matthew Marczi shared. "I slow-roasted it, if you will. I didn't try to microwave it." 

While Rodgers spent the voluntary portion of the offseason program as an unsigned free agent, it's now known that he kept in touch with Tomlin from his visit with the team on March 21 through June. As for Tomlin, the one-time Super Bowl champion head coach will enter September looking for his first playoff victory since the 2016 campaign.

Meanwhile, those inside the Steelers locker room have reportedly grown fond of Rodgers since he participated in the club's mandatory minicamp in June. 

"Just through our conversations, he expressed his desires, and they're in alignment with mine," Tomlin said about the Steelers signing Rodgers to be their 2025 Week 1 starter. "He's here and here in a mindset that's aligned with us. He's here to win a world championship for this group. And he wants to impart wisdom and share his experiences with young players to give back to the game." 

Rodgers has insisted he wants to end his career "the right way" after he spent nearly the entire 2023 campaign recovering from a torn Achilles before losing 12 of 17 starts with the New York Jets last season. Tomlin seems motivated to help Rodgers achieve that goal before the 41-year-old retires.

"I like the responsibility of having to deliver for him," Tomlin added. "Just the energy and the charge I get that I prepare messaging and things of that nature." 

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Steelers at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs this season. It wouldn't be surprising if Tomlin uses this as bulletin-board material ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 1 matchup at the Jets on Sept. 7.