Steelers WR suggests certain Aaron Rodgers narrative was always silly

Pockets of fans and media members previously suggested that quarterback Aaron Rodgers waiting until June to officially join the Pittsburgh Steelers was to blame for why the offense looked out of sorts during summer practices. 

Rodgers then completed 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 34-32 win at the New York Jets this past Sunday. During a Tuesday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III credited Rodgers for how the offense performed against the Jets after the 41-year-old didn't play a single snap during the preseason. 

How Aaron Rodgers got everybody on the same page for New York Jets game

"I was impressed myself just from the standpoint of we didn't get any game reps with any of us together," Austin explained during the segment, per Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "But I say that's just a testament to obviously practice, but the communication from [Rodgers] to us. We do it so much in this, and he's so clear and concise with what he sees, and when we see it the same way -- that's why I feel like the transition from not getting any of those reps to it being live action first game, that's why I feel like it went so well."

While Rodgers warmly embraced a scheme preferred by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith ahead of the Jets game, some were surprised that Pittsburgh recorded only 20 rushing attempts in the victory. On Wednesday, ESPN's Dan Graziano revealed that "the Steelers' coaching staff was thrilled with the way Aaron Rodgers spread the ball around" at MetLife Stadium. 

"The Steelers believe they have a collection of unselfish players on offense, and in their ideal world, they will continue to use all of them," Graziano continued. 

Pittsburgh Steelers were "sending a message" during win over New York Jets?

"I think that was one thing that coach Smith and [Rodgers] definitely wanted to do going out, especially first game of the year, sending a message," Austin added, according to Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "And it's about, we're gonna be aggressive in both phases, run and pass. When you generally think of us, you would think, 'They're gonna try to establish the run and then get to the pass.' So, you wanna attack them where they're not thinking. I'm glad it happened how it happened, to be able to start off attacking through the air, because I feel like it just kept them off balance throughout the entire game, and it allowed us to take advantage of some big-time moments."

It could be interesting to see how often Rodgers drops back to pass throughout the opening half of play when the Steelers host the 0-1 Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday.