Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has Preseason Plans

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't announced if Aaron Rodgers will play in the preseason or not, but it sure doesn't sound like the 42-year-old wants to.

Speaking with the media, Rodgers made it very clear that he doesn't see the benefit of preseason games for himself or many other veterans.

"It's preseason. It's not real football," Rodgers said. "So if I do great. If not, great. Preseason's a lot different. Teams don't run anything anymore, they just really don't. It's good to see guys with pads on, under the lights, how they react to the nerves. But it's not real, regular season football."

So, it's hard to imagine he'll be out there. If he's not, he still has intentions to improve the Steelers during the three exhibition games.

"I like to be on the headset and calm everybody down," Rodgers told Steelers On SI. "Usually, the first game, it's a little hectic on the headset. So I like to be the voice of reason, occasional dad joke or one-liner. Just keep everybody settled in a little bit."

"Well, their age, really. They're young kids. They're excited about learning, open to some extra coaching from me," Rodgers added about Howard and Allar. "They ask questions. They want to do it right. They watch what I do and try and mimic that. Or if I do something they don't understand, they ask a question. And the best part of it is Tom [Arth] gives me a lot of latitude in the room to speak up and to talk about things or stop the film and say, 'What are you thinking here?' And quarterback, just like all things, can be over-complicated to make it seem more difficult than it might be sometimes. It's not easy, but you can simplify things and that's what I'm trying to help them with."

Aug 03, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) looks to pass as quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (8) and Mason Rudolph (2) look on during a practice session at Training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The ears he'll be speaking into on the headset will be Mason Rudolph's, Will Howard's and Drew Allar. For Howard and Allar, this will be their first NFL game ever, meaning the nerves will certainly be high for the young quarterbacks.

Rodgers will be able to be a calming presence while offering advice as they navigate a game for the first time.

For Rudolph, it's likely more of a "how can I help you" situation. The 31-year-old is in the midst of a quarterback battle with Howard and could create maybe an uncloseable gap if he plays well against the Packers. Rodgers will be a helping hand in doing so while watching from the sideline.

Other Missing Players

The Steelers will be without a number of players in their preseason opener. Rookie tackle Max Iheanachor (shoulder/neck) will likely be out after missing the last week of practice. Wide receivers DK Metcalf (unknown) and Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) will also miss the game after not practicing.

Germie Bernard and Roman Wilson will start in their places. Dylan Cook will start at right tackle, as he's been throughout training camp.

Defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day (unknown) and Logan Lee (unknown) and offensive guard Steven Jones (unknown) have also missed practice time and are not expected to play. Defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Brandin Echols (ankle) likely won't either as they work through injuries. Echols remains in a walking boot since injuring his ankle.

Rookie running back Eli Heidenreich is expected to play after missing time with a hamstring/groin injury. Heidenreich told Steelers On SI that he feels much better and is ready to go out there on Thursday night against the Packers.

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