Aaron Rodgers stirred up headlines on Sunday by suggesting that some Steelers receivers weren’t showing up for film sessions and weren’t running the right routes. Tight end Pat Freiermuth quickly pushed back, saying Rodgers’ implication was flat-out wrong.
After Rodgers dropped the bombshell, reporters covering the team mostly stayed silent. On Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t asked a single question about it during a roughly 30-minute press conference. By Wednesday, Rodgers faced the media again for the first time since Sunday—but even then, no one brought up his comments.
In fairness, Rodgers spoke for just three minutes and 41 seconds. Still, when the team’s P.R. Director signaled “two more” and “last one” questions, no reporter asked about what many would call the biggest story of the week: the quarterback’s sharp critique of his teammates after a 26-7 loss to the Bills.
Freiermuth, however, was clear: “Everyone shows up and everyone contributes in a positive manner. I think he was just more so talking about being on the same page with signals and stuff. We don’t have an issue with guys not showing up,” he told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Locker room left scratching their heads
So why did Rodgers say it? That’s the question now buzzing through the locker room and Steelers fan base alike, amid rumors that Tomlin has lost the locker room. Even if everyone is showing up, his comments put a spotlight on accountability—and sent a message that anyone falling behind could be called out publicly.
Ultimately, Rodgers’ remarks may have created more confusion than clarity. If there’s truly no issue in the locker room, teammates and fans are left wondering what he meant—and hoping he provides an explanation soon. For now, the Steelers have to deal with the ripple effects of a comment that grabbed headlines long before the next snap.