Ben Roethlisberger’s lingering Aaron Rodgers concern after Steelers win

Aaron Rodgers turned again the clock Sunday in his Steelers debut, a four-touchdown efficiency in a 34-32 win over his former Jets group.

Though the outing left Steelers nice Ben Roethlisberger feeling “very inspired” by what he noticed from Rodgers, the hits the 41-year-old quarterback took turned his abdomen.

“The optimistic that I noticed was Aaron Rodgers threw the ball. Pay attention, his arm works simply wonderful. He can throw the ball all over, down the sphere, quick passes, screens, unfold the ball round,” Roethlisberger started Tuesday on his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast.

“The one factor — there have been 4 sacks. None of people who I noticed had been Aaron’s fault. There have been occasions when he got here up with play faux and there was a man in his face, possibly some protection stuff, nevertheless it wasn’t something like he’s simply again there holding the ball perpetually. So, I’m very inspired by the way in which Aaron performed. My concern goes to be, transferring ahead, can Aaron take a beating like that each week? Not at that age as a result of a few of these, even when he didn’t get sacked, he obtained hit so exhausting, he got here off the bottom, and he’s forty-something, and that’s not good.”

Rodgers took 4 sacks in his return to MetLife Stadium, whereas additionally throwing for 244 yards to present Pittsburgh a 1-0 begin to the season.

The previous MVP, who joined the Steelers on a one-year deal this offseason, relished the victory after a contentious break up from the Jets earlier this yr.

“I used to be completely happy to beat all people related to the Jets,” Rodgers mentioned.

“… There have been most likely folks within the group that didn’t assume I may play anymore. It was good to remind these folks that I nonetheless can.”

<br />

Rodgers arrived in New York to a lot fanfare in 2023, however suffered a season-ending Achilles damage simply 4 performs into his Jets profession.

He went 5-12 with the group final yr, wherein coach Robert Saleh and common supervisor Joe Douglas had been fired halfway by way of, and was proven the door by the brand new regime of coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey.

Roethlisberger, who spent 18 seasons in Pittbsburgh and received two Tremendous Bowls, implored the safety round Rodgers to enhance in the event that they want to have him accessible all season and contend for a championship.

“It makes me nervous, the speeding recreation and the sack recreation,” he mentioned. “… If that doesn’t enhance, we’re not going to have a quarterback very lengthy and it’s going to be a tough season.”