Rodgers’ Struggles Put Steelers’ Season in Jeopardy

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ championship aspirations may be nothing more than a pipe dream after Aaron Rodgers’ struggles behind center. The team’s performance has been underwhelming, with a sluggish Week 1 victory over the Falcons followed by a putrid loss to the Patriots in Week 2.

Rodgers, who returned to Pittsburgh for one final season with his old Packers coach Mike McCarthy, has faced pressure from the start. However, Sunday’s 20-3 loss to the Patriots was particularly alarming, with Rodgers sacked four times and completing just 5-of-12 passes for 34 yards when pressured. Through two games this season, Rodgers is completing a paltry 33% of his passes for an average of 3.5 yards per attempt when under pressure.

The Steelers’ brass seems hesitant to make meaningful changes despite the lackluster performance from Rodgers and a stagnant offense. This reluctance may be due in part to the team’s tough divisional schedule, which puts them at a significant disadvantage without a consistent run game or adequate protection for Rodgers.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles are being unfairly maligned by fans and pundits alike. While their Week 2 victory over the Titans was far from smooth sailing – they were pressured on 24 of 42 dropbacks, with two turnovers – Jalen Hurts performed admirably under pressure, completing 11-of-20 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles’ offense is still a work in progress, but it’s unfair to say they’re not improving. They’ve made significant changes on both sides of the ball, including at coordinator positions, which are taking time to gel. With DeVonta Smith emerging as a legitimate No. 1 receiver and Hurts continuing to prove himself under pressure, there are reasons to believe that the Eagles’ offense will eventually find its footing.

In Atlanta, the quarterback situation is rapidly devolving into chaos. Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush – none of these players have inspired confidence so far this season. Matt Ryan, the team’s president of football operations, seems hesitant to make significant changes, likely due to his preference for Penix.

However, with Strand clearly not ready for prime time and Rush struggling mightily, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Falcons need a new solution at quarterback. This may require Ryan to take a hard look at his options and consider making drastic changes.

For Steelers’ fans, this means holding onto hope – but also being prepared for the possibility that their team may not be as competitive as they thought. For Eagles’ fans, it’s a reminder that patience is a virtue: with Hurts and Smith leading the charge, there are reasons to believe this team will eventually find its footing.

For Falcons’ fans, things could get ugly quickly if Ryan doesn’t make some drastic changes at quarterback. With Penix potentially ready to start next Thursday in Green Bay, it’s time for the Falcons to take a long, hard look at their quarterback situation – and fast.

As we head into Week 3 of the NFL season, one thing is clear: none of these teams have found their footing yet. The Steelers need to address fundamental issues plaguing the team, while the Eagles require patience as they work through growing pains. For the Falcons, drastic changes may be necessary if they hope to salvage their season.