The Pittsburgh Steelers won their season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday after the offense put up 34 points. It was an especially important win for new Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was released by the Jets in the early part of the offseason following two disappointing seasons in New York.
However, as great as it was for the Steelers offense to put up points, Rodgers was under pressure for much of the game, and the rushing attack struggled to find its groove.
Now, one of the Steelers’ greatest quarterbacks in franchise history is sounding off on the team’s offensive line.
“I’m very encouraged by the way Aaron played. My concern is going to be, moving forward, can Aaron take a beating like that every week? Not at that age. If that doesn’t improve, we’re not gonna have a quarterback very long, and it’s gonna be a rough season,” Ben Roethlisberger said in a podcast appearance, according to Steelers Depot.
Fans reacted to Roethlisberger online.
“He’s right Aaron is too old to take that kind of beating every week the offensive line HAS to play better,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“We’re all spoiled being Steeler’s fans. That being said… When did we start aspiring to the hope that 1st round pick can at least be average?” one fan commented on YouTube, likely referring to the struggles of Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones.
It’ll be interesting to see how the unit looks in the Steelers’ second game against the Seattle Seahawks.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.