How Steelers' Aaron Rodgers, Arthur Smith 'hit it off' after concerns

Months before the Pittsburgh Steelers officially signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers in June, numerous reporters and analysts suggested he would not be a good fit for the system preferred by Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Such chatter vanished ahead of the halfway point of October after Rodgers guided the Steelers to a 4-1 record while playing under Smith. For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler touched upon "how Rodgers and Smith have hit it off" since the offseason. 

Aaron Rodgers, Arthur Smith are more alike than some outsiders realized

"As right tackle Troy Fautanu told me recently, Rodgers and Smith are both quick-witted and sarcastic, kindred souls in that way, razzing each other like old friends during team meetings," Fowler wrote. "'They are always messing around with each other,' Fautanu said. 'It's a healthy dynamic.' Rodgers and Smith also respect each other's football acumen. It's a match that has worked well."

Rodgers turns 42 years old in December and, thus, is no longer the elite athlete he was when he earned MVP honors for the 2021 regular season. ESPN stats show that he heads into Week 7 ranked 23rd in the league among qualified players with a 49.0 adjusted QBR and eighth with a 105.4 passer rating. Over Rodgers' first five games with Pittsburgh, he tossed 10 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. 

Aaron Rodgers understands he doesn't have to turn the clock back with Steelers

Previous stories noted how Rodgers embraced Smith's system after the future Hall of Famer dealt with multiple injury setbacks last season. Per ESPN, Rodgers took no sacks in two of his last three games, including when the Pittsburgh offensive line had to deal with Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett this past Sunday. 

"Pittsburgh's offense believes it's a run-first attack now," Fowler continued. "The Steelers believe the interior offensive line, in particular, has emerged in recent games to provide an additional push up the middle that benefits backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. This helps protect [Rodgers] and plays to [Smith's] strengths as a run-game guru with a tight end background. Expect that identity to continue."

The Steelers will look to keep that identity strong when they play at the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) this Thursday night. As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had Pittsburgh as a 5.5-point favorite for that matchup.