Aaron Rodgers didn’t hold back after one of the worst outings of his legendary career — and his brutally honest words have Steelers fans buzzing with concern.
Following Pittsburgh’s ugly 25–10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, the 41-year-old quarterback took full responsibility for the team’s lackluster performance. Rodgers completed just 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions in what he admitted was “not up to his standards.”
“I expect to play great every single week, and this was not my best performance,” Rodgers told reporters. “I’ve got to play better for us to win. Whether it’s better checks, better throws — whatever it takes — I will. We’ve got to bounce back.”
“It Starts With Me,” Rodgers Admits
Rodgers acknowledged that the offense’s flat energy began with him — and that he failed to provide the spark the Steelers needed.
“I felt like our energy starts with me,” he said. “It wasn’t great on offense. We just couldn’t get anything going. Every time we talk about getting that first down to start a drive, we usually end up scoring. But we had too many three-and-outs, and I didn’t play very good at all.”
Despite the poor showing, Rodgers isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. He reminded reporters that the season is long and that every team faces highs and lows.
“We’ve got four division games left. It’s a long season,” Rodgers said. “It was a good opponent, and we didn’t play very good tonight — but that’s part of the ups and downs.”
Tomlin Defends His Quarterback
Head coach Mike Tomlin refused to single out Rodgers, instead describing the defeat as a “team loss.” According to Tomlin, breakdowns on both sides of the ball made it impossible to find momentum, though he reportedly delivered a four-word verdict that “spoke volumes” about Pittsburgh’s overall effort.
Steelers Still on Top — For Now
Even after the loss, the Steelers remain atop the AFC North at 5–4, though the surging Ravens are closing in fast. Up next for Rodgers and company is a crucial divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals — a must-win game if Pittsburgh hopes to maintain control of the division.
For Rodgers, the mission is simple: regroup, refocus, and prove that Sunday’s flop was just a bump in the road.
“You can’t sit and sulk,” he said. “We’ll watch the film, make corrections, and move forward. That’s what professionals do.”
