Aaron Rodgers Doesn’t Want to Do His Job Under Mike Tomlin After Steelers QB Rejected by WR, Claims Insider

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers is most recognized for his blunt style. He can get the best out of players. Whether it was Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback or defensive anchors such as Troy Polamalu and Cameron Heyward, Tomlin maintained the same culture of discipline and accountability. But now, that culture is being put to the test. And at the center of it is Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback who plays by his own playbook.

According to Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show, Rodgers just doesn’t want to play the type of offense Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are attempting to create. “My concern is just the way Aaron Rodgers prefers to play the position currently,” Mays stated. He explained that Aaron likes throwing one-on-one matchups, especially with DK Metcalf. We’ll often see Rodgers throw slants and fades to DK Metcalf. He likes making short, quick passes for easy gains.

Though the larger issue is what Rodgers doesn’t want to do. Mays commented that during the brief stint last year with the Jets, Rodgers wouldn’t fully execute offensive schemes. “He does not want to play out plays anymore,” Mays said, comparing it to Smith’s scheme, which lives and dies on play-action and middle-of-the-field attacks. That’s the perfect version of this offense, but that’s not really how Rodgers wants to play anymore. It’s a philosophical conflict that might characterize Rodgers’ tenure in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers’s resistance isn’t just showing on the field. Indeed, his cautious demeanor has already created friction outside as well. Super Bowl winner Ryan Clark shared on his Football America! podcast: Rodgers refused his offer of an interview during training camp. Even though Clark attempted to put on a warm smile. “I have no problem with dude, he’s cool,” Clark stated. “I was like, ‘Man, I would love to sit with him… He’s the quarterback of our team now. I really don’t dislike him. I want to sit with him, welcome him to Steeler Nation, and just kind of have a conversation.” Clark, who’s praised Rodgers in the past as the best quarterback he ever faced, admitted the quarterback simply had nothing to say afterward. Rodgers has spoken to media members in other settings, but when it comes to ESPN and its personalities, he’s historically been less cooperative.

If the philosophical divide between Rodgers and Tomlin wasn’t sufficient, Pittsburgh’s new quarterback also just took a personnel hit.

Rodgers loses out on a familiar target

According to reports, Rodgers attempted to have a reunion with former Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. A reliable deep threat during their Green Bay stint, but the transaction didn’t materialize.

On Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic wrote that Valdes-Scantling had a “50/50” choice between signing with the Steelers or the San Francisco 49ers. Rodgers had expressed his wish. “He wanted me back over there,” Valdes-Scantling acknowledged. But ultimately, the veteran receiver went with San Francisco as the best career decision.

Rather than receiving passes from Rodgers once more, Valdes-Scantling decided to sign with the 49ers’ practice squad, depriving Pittsburgh of the reunion that might have eased the quarterback’s transition. This is not the first time that Rodgers has gone around playing recruiter. Earlier this month, insider Bill Huber reported that Rodgers made a call to Green Bay inquiring about the status of Romeo Doubs. Another up-and-coming receiver with whom he previously worked. Although there was no trade, the efforts demonstrate Rodgers’s determination to establish comfort among familiar faces despite his adjustment to a new system.

Tomlin has long prided himself on balancing personalities, but Rodgers is not a typical player. He’s a four-time MVP and a future Hall of Famer who demands independence. However, his initial moves, like boycotting media appearances or pushing back against some offensive principles, are signs that a compromise may be hard to find. If the coaching staff in Pittsburgh fails to find a middle ground with Rodgers, the season could quickly shift from hopeful to chaotic.

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