Who is to blame for issues between Aaron Rodgers, Steelers teammates?

A report from Monday suggested that quarterback Aaron Rodgers lacked chemistry with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers DK Metcalf and 2024 third-round draft pick Roman Wilson during training camp. 

However, Rodgers' connection with Metcalf and Wilson seemed to improve leading up to Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. 

During the latest edition of "The Why Willie Show w/ J.J. Williams," NFL analyst and former Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon indicated Rodgers' teammates are to blame for the offense's struggles. 

"Aaron Rodgers looks (expletive) good in camp," Colon said, Steelers Depot's Troy Montgomery shared. "I don't know if they're talking about that enough. Aaron Rodgers is doing a hell of a job in training camp. For a guy who's 41 years old, he looked good. He looks really, really good. He looks in shape. The rest of the team is trying to get on his level. It's a young group. It's a group that's got a lot of dog fights ahead of them, but everybody seems committed to the cause."

As The Athletic's Mike DeFabo noted in a piece published on Friday, Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth recently mentioned how Rodgers still possesses a "lightning-quick release" and "knows exactly where he’s going with the ball" during drills. 

"He’s in incredible condition," Arth added about Rodgers. "...He’s throwing on the move, and he’s making some throws on the run that are 'wow' type of throws that I don’t think many quarterbacks are making. And that’s at 40-plus years old. I think it’s all still there. He’s certainly going to be able to escape the pocket, extend plays for us when he needs to. All of the movement passing game, it’s alive and well with him." 

Whether Rodgers can sustain that level of play in his 21st NFL season is debatable. While with the New York Jets last year, a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem slowed Rodgers before he recorded eight touchdown passes and three interceptions over his final four games.

Perhaps Pittsburgh's offense would be in better shape had Rodgers joined the team in March rather than in June. Nevertheless, the Steelers now have roughly one month to prepare for their Week 1 game at the Jets on Sept. 7.