NFL insider gives Steelers' Mike Tomlin the benefit of the doubt regarding his ability to handle Aaron Rodgers' personality
Aaron Rodgers comes with a lot of…let's say, personality. Should he end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he will fit right in with some of the current characters employed by the team (George Pickens, I'm looking at you). But according to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, Rodgers will be no issue for Mike Tomlin given […]
Aaron Rodgers comes with a lot of…let's say, personality.
Should he end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he will fit right in with some of the current characters employed by the team (George Pickens, I'm looking at you).
But according to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, Rodgers will be no issue for Mike Tomlin given what he's dealt with in the past…
Tomlin prepared for Rodgers?
“I think Mike Tomlin has a tremendous ability to adapt to what’s in front of him to get the most out of them," said Russini on her Scoop City podcast. We’re talking about a head coach who had to deal with Antonio Brown [and] with the Le’Veon Bell situation. He can handle Aaron Rodgers.”
Honestly, how Tomlin kept the team in line, much less competing for AFC championships with Bell, Brown, and Bryant on the team, might seem like the eighth wonder of the world, but here's the reality…
Mike Tomlin may have played a role in keeping the team from splitting at the seams, but the Steelers were led by a quarterback who had two rings on his resume and, regardless of what many say, was a leader for the team.
That man was Big Ben Roethlisberger.
Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger are not only two different quarterbacks but also different humans. Both love ball and played at an elite level, but that's where the similarities end.
Rodgers has never been known as a guy's guy, or even a great teammate or leader. He has always marched to the beat of his own drum, and outside of yelling at George Pickens for running the wrong route, he's not going to give you much in terms of developing the young guys.
That's not to say he shouldn't be the starting quarterback of the Steelers in 2025, but the idea that Mike Tomlin can contain all the personalities in that offensive meeting room because he had L. Bell and AB on the same team is a little shortsighted, given the presence of Ben Roethlisbeger.
But time will tell. If nothing else, the Steelers will make for some must watch television should Rodgers eventually get away from his walks on the beach and darkness retreats and head back to the Southside to sign his contract.
When is that? Rodgers himself may not even know yet.
