The Pittsburgh Steelers face a critical moment in their 2025 season following a disappointing 23-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. The team’s starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, expressed serious concerns about the squad’s preparation, emphasizing the need for improvement as they look to salvage their remaining games.
Rodgers addressed the media after the game, highlighting that while the team’s off-field tactics had improved, their on-field execution during practice did not translate into performance. “I thought the preparation, like I said, was better,” he noted. “But the practice wasn’t as good as I thought it was. That doesn’t mean you’re going to have a bad performance, but the execution tonight just wasn’t good enough.”
His comments raised questions about the disparity between preparation and performance. Elaborating on the issue, Rodgers indicated that the energy and tempo at practice were crucial factors. “It’s a lot of things,” he stated. “Kind of just a feeling. A lot of it is just the energy at practice and the tempo.” He indicated that while Friday’s practice showed improvement, Thursday’s session lacked the necessary execution.
Accountability emerged as a key theme in Rodgers’ remarks. He stressed the importance of the entire roster stepping up, placing particular emphasis on team leaders, including himself. When asked about potential external factors, such as coaching decisions, he reaffirmed his faith in head coach Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff. “I believe in the coaching staff. I believe in Mike Tomlin,” he asserted. “That’s why I came here. And players need to take accountability, myself included, and I will continue to. I need to play better.”
Rodgers also hinted at areas for improvement, particularly regarding the team’s film sessions and communication on the field. He pointed out the need for players to be more attentive during these sessions. “When there’s film sessions, everybody shows up,” he noted. “When I check to a route, you do the right route.” This comment followed a significant miscommunication during the game, where tight end Jonnu Smith ran the incorrect route, resulting in a missed opportunity for the Steelers.
The Steelers have only five games left in the season to turn their fortunes around. With Rodgers’ call for greater accountability and focus, it remains to be seen whether the team can rally and improve their performance. The upcoming practices will be crucial as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
As the Steelers aim to regain their footing, the spotlight will be on their preparation strategies and the execution on game day. The players now have the opportunity to address the issues raised by Rodgers and make the necessary adjustments as they look to finish the season strongly.
