Aaron Rodgers Acknowledges Poor Performance in Steelers’ Loss

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed disappointment following his team’s 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on November 5, 2023. The game marked a challenging outing for the 41-year-old veteran, who struggled to find his rhythm throughout the night.

Rodgers’ performance was notably below par, completing just 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His struggles were evident early on, as the Steelers began their first two possessions at advantageous positions—the Steelers’ 40 and the Chargers’ 46 yard lines—but could only manage a mere three points. By the fourth quarter, Rodgers had completed only 9 of 21 passes for 91 yards.

Reflecting on the game, Rodgers stated, “A lot of stuff wasn’t working. We were bad on third down. I was just a little bit off.” He acknowledged several missed opportunities, including a potential big play to DK Metcalf and an overthrown pass to Jonnu Smith.

The Steelers’ offense struggled to establish a consistent ground game in the first half, which compounded their difficulties. Rodgers pointed out, “We missed, obviously, some throws, for sure. And then we weren’t getting guys open and couldn’t put it all together.”

Despite the offensive shortcomings, the Steelers’ defense delivered a commendable performance, but it was not enough to secure a victory. Rodgers noted, “Our defense played really well tonight. Offensively, we were pretty bad. So, we’ve got to find a way to get open on third down, I’ve got to find a way to hit ‘em, because that was just some bad ball.”

Throughout the first eight games of the season, Rodgers had been effective, completing 69 percent of his passes for 1,692 yards, with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. As he approaches his 42nd birthday, he reassured fans that he is feeling physically well, despite this particular setback. “I expect to play great every single week, and this was not my best performance,” he commented. “I’ve got to play better than this for us to win. Whatever it takes.”

Looking ahead, Rodgers emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective. “We’re 5-4, we’re leading the division,” he remarked, referencing the team’s position in the AFC North. The Steelers currently hold the top spot, which he identified as a crucial point for moving forward.

As the Steelers prepare for their next matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at home, Rodgers acknowledges the need for improvement. He concluded, “We’ve got to play better on offense, for sure, but this is part of the season. There’s ebbs and flows, there’s ups and downs… It felt like our energy wasn’t as great on offense.”

The upcoming game will be critical for the Steelers as they aim to bounce back and regain momentum in their season.