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Steelers Bench Superstars for Preseason Opener, Rodgers Calls Games "Not Real Football"
8 Aug
Summary
- Steelers resting key players like Rodgers, Metcalf, Watt for preseason opener
- Rodgers says preseason has limited value, joint practices more beneficial
- Steelers defense impressing in camp, offense expected to improve
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, they will be without several of their top players. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who joined the team this offseason, is among the Steelers veterans who will not see the field in the exhibition game.
Rodgers, who is open to playing in the preseason, has expressed that he doesn't see much value in it. The 41-year-old quarterback stated that preseason football is "not necessarily real football" since defenses don't run their full game plans. Instead, Rodgers believes the Steelers' upcoming joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be more beneficial, as teams tend to run their full defensive schemes in those sessions.
The Steelers' decision to rest their starters extends beyond Rodgers. Other key players sitting out the preseason opener include wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith, and defensive stars like Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and T.J. Watt. This suggests the team is focused on getting their veterans ready for the regular season rather than risking injury in exhibition games.
Despite the absence of their top players, the Steelers' coaching staff remains optimistic about the team's progress. Rodgers noted that the defense has been impressive in camp, with the offense expected to improve as the team continues to gel. The joint practices with the Buccaneers will provide a valuable opportunity for the Steelers' offense to test itself against one of the NFL's most gifted defensive minds in Todd Bowles.
