After the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped a 20-3 decision on the road against the New England Patriots, quarterback Aaron Rodgers put the onus squarely on himself for not telling his coaches to coach better. Speaking to reporters after the game, the veteran signal-caller addressed what he viewed as fundamental flaws in the team’s offensive approach and vowed to communicate more directly with the coaching staff.
Rodgers Takes Blame After Patriots Defeat
“We need to be better, and it starts with me, that [I’m] making sure Mike knows what’s working, what’s not working, [letting] our coaches know,” Rodgers told the press. “So, we call stuff that we feel like has a better chance.”
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback
The offensive output stalled throughout the contest, leaving the team searching for answers before the regular season begins. Rather than pointing outward, Rodgers emphasized that his critique needs to be sharper regarding what is called on the field.
Simplifying the Game Plan and Cutting Volume
The sources do not provide a quote regarding the volume of the game plan or cutting back the plan.
Elandon Roberts Released in Roster Shakeup
While the offense addresses its on-field struggles, the front office made a surprising personnel decision regarding veteran inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. Signed in the middle of training camp, Roberts was widely considered a lock to make the final 53-man roster.
Instead, the franchise cut the well-respected defender, who previously won Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and became a fan favorite during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
“Let’s start here: Elandon Roberts was really, really released,” Kovacevic wrote. “As of late last night, there’d been no arrangement between the Steelers and the player to push him through the practice squad or anything like that. ‘Nope,’ he’d confirm for me. ‘Nothing.’ So yeah, that’s a thing that happened, and it’ll be, per the man himself, a thing that sticks. Which is, wild. ‘I have no clue,’ he’d reply when I asked why. ‘I wish the team nothing but the best this season, but I was definitely shocked.'”
Dejan Kovacevic, DK Pittsburgh Sports
Despite his familiarity with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham from their time together with the Las Vegas Raiders, Roberts received no indication that a return to the organization was under consideration.
Inside Linebacker Depth and Next Steps
With Roberts out of the picture, the franchise has locked in four inside linebackers on the active roster. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson anchor the group as starters, with Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener serving as backups.
Both Wilson and Bruener have logged extensive special teams work, and internal evaluations of Bruener’s development during training camp likely influenced the decision to part ways with Roberts. Holcomb is also working his way back to full health.
The team now turns its attention to the regular-season schedule. The Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m.