PITTSBURGH — On the heels of Aaron Rodgers’ worst sport as a Steeler, coach Mike Tomlin mentioned he does not have any “long-term reservations” concerning the quarterback’s potential to play the place “at a excessive degree.”
Rodgers threw one landing and two interceptions in Sunday evening’s 25-10 loss to the Chargers and accomplished simply 52.6% of his makes an attempt, marking his lowest completion proportion in a sport over the previous 5 seasons when he tried no less than two passes, in line with ESPN Analysis.
“Sunday evening was what it was,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday. “However I’ve no long-term reservations about his potential to play the place and play the place at a excessive degree for us.”
Rodgers, 41, additionally took three sacks towards the Chargers, together with one in the long run zone by Khalil Mack for a security within the first half.
“I am not going to chalk it as much as an off evening, however there are not any long-term considerations,” Tomlin mentioned of Rodgers’ efficiency.
Tomlin later was requested if Rodgers’ struggles might be attributed to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter or one other issue, since he did not take into account it an “off evening” but additionally did not have “long-term considerations.”
“I am simply not going to permit your phrases to be my phrases, that is all,” Tomlin responded.
Rodgers, nevertheless, mentioned himself after the sport that he felt it was an uncharacteristic efficiency.
“Lots of stuff wasn’t working,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday. “We have been unhealthy on third down. I used to be just a bit bit off. … I missed, clearly, some throws, for certain. After which we weren’t getting guys open and simply put all of it collectively instances the fellows have been open. I missed some throws I normally make.”
Simply three weeks earlier, Rodgers accomplished 23 of 34 makes an attempt for a season-high 249 yards and 4 touchdowns with two interceptions towards the Bengals, who the Steelers host in a rematch Sunday. In that sport, operating again Jaylen Warren additionally exploded for 127 yards on 16 carries and a season-high 7.9 yards per carry.
After the loss to the Chargers, Rodgers advocated for Warren to get extra touches. The fourth-year again had 14 carries for 70 yards towards the Chargers, averaging 5 yards per carry. He has 474 dashing yards, three whole touchdowns and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry this season.
“Jaylen made some very nice performs,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday. “He is a gifted man. We received to provide him extra touches.”
Warren, although, was out-snapped by Kenneth Gainwell 26-23 towards the Chargers, although Gainwell did not have a carry and had two receptions on three targets for 4 yards. Warren had two catches on two targets for 21 yards.
Tomlin attributed Warren’s snap depend to a scarcity of drive-sustaining third-down conversions. The Steelers have been 2-for-11 on third down towards the Chargers and rank twenty sixth within the league changing on simply 36% of their third downs. The Steelers additionally rank final with a mean of 55 offensive performs per sport, down from 62.6 a yr in the past.
“We win extra third downs, we’ll get Jaylen extra touches,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday. “It is so simple as that. Jaylen was having the trajectory of a superb day in L.A., however we did not convert sufficient third downs so that you can actually, actually really feel it.”
Warren did not play a single third down, and Tomlin rebuffed the concept Warren might exchange Gainwell as the first third-down again.
“I am comfy with each backs in possession-down ball,” Tomlin mentioned. “Not taking something away from Jaylen. He performs quite a bit on first and second down. You bought to provide him alternatives to catch a break, and so generally it is on third down, generally it is not. Generally we’ll give different ball carriers the beginning of a possession.
“He simply merely can’t play each down, however I am fully comfy using each guys on possession-down play.”