Aaron Rodgers Compares Steelers WR to Former RB

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for a consistent offensive performance this season. There have been small and brief glimpses of that, but they are few and far in between. Part of that issue is the connection between the starting quarterback and his top wide receivers.

Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers is still forming that chemistry and bond with top wideouts DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. The team hopes that their win over the Patriots is a step in the right direction, as Rodgers found both of his top targets for a touchdown to help push the team to 2-1. It was a major development for Austin III specifically, as it was a bounce back from making a costly error in Week 2.

The performance also reminded Rodgers of one of his former teammates. Not because of the position Austin plays, but his attitude and resilient mentality is like one of Rodgers’ favorite teammates during his NFL career - running back Aaron Jones.

“(He) reminds me a lot of Aaron Jones, who was one of my all-time favorite teammates,” Rodgers said of Austin. “Disposition-wise, both Jonesy and Calvin are very positive, happy guys. They want to please, they want to do the right thing all the time. They’re very accountable.”

Football players walk off the field in celebration — Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walk off the field arm in arm after defeating the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. | Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rodgers found Austin in a critical moment against the New England Patriots. With the game tied, Rodgers placed a pass in a tight window for Austin to haul in a 17-yard touchdown to give the Steelers the lead and eventually, a victory.

It goes to show, according to the Steelers quarterback, how much confidence he has in his wideouts.

“Calvin just has incredible placement, so I felt good about the matchup on third down, with the game on the line,” he said. ”And he made an incredible play. So, he knows I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. (I’d) love to get the ball to him and DK (Metcalf) a lot more, but the way teams are playing us we’ve had to be a little more patient.”

Despite the early season stumbling, the Steelers quarterback and company believe they are finding their stride. It’s not a fully solved issue, but as Rodgers and Austin continue forming chemistry off the field, they’re quickly improving their performance on it.

“At this point it’s about winning,” he said. “Chemistry is there, the continuity, the belief in each other is there. It’s just going out and executing, feeling better about ourselves on offense.”

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