Aaron Rodgers gets Smith’s support (Getty Images)
After the 27-24 finish, the ESPN host used First Take to ask why Pittsburgh cannot keep its 42-year-old quarterback clean. An aging passer cannot carry a team behind a line that leaks, and Pittsburgh now sits at 2-2, last in the AFC North. You go on a 17-play drive, 78 yards to open the game, and then you go two damn quarters without doing anything. At 42, Rodgers no longer slips out of pressure the way he once did. PFN’s offensive line rankings give Pittsburgh a pass-block grade of 69.1, which sits 26th in the league. The Steelers rank third at 82.7, and Jaylen Warren has benefited.
Smith said he was disgusted by Steelers fans everywhere. Stephen A. Smith has watched enough of Aaron Rodgers taking hits. The Thursday night game between the Steelers and Browns was close on the scoreboard, but it rarely felt that way. Cleveland sacked Rodgers five times and killed several drives. His argument was blunt. Then he moved to the game itself. “You know he’s about to retire. Can you protect the brother? Two and a half quarters. Listen, I know we got to get into the game, but I’m just so disgusted on behalf of Steeler Nation everywhere. We just know we’re not going anywhere. Age makes it worse. Run blocking tells a different story. So the line pushes forward better than it sits back, and that gap shows every time Rodgers drops to throw.