Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH — On the heels of Aaron Rodgers' worst sport as a Steeler, coach Mike Tomlin mentioned he does not have any “long-term reservations” concerning the quarterback's capacity to play the place “at a excessive stage.”
Rodgers threw one landing and two interceptions in Sunday night time's 25-10 loss to the Chargers and accomplished simply 52.6% of his makes an attempt, marking his lowest completion proportion in a sport over the previous 5 seasons when he tried at the very least two passes, in line with ESPN Analysis.
“Sunday night time was what it was,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday. “However I've no long-term reservations about his capacity to play the place and play the place at a excessive stage for us.”
Rodgers, 41, additionally took three sacks towards the Chargers, together with one ultimately zone by Khalil Mack for a security within the first half.
“I am not going to chalk it as much as an off night time, however there aren't any long-term considerations,” Tomlin mentioned of Rodgers' efficiency.
Tomlin later was requested if Rodgers' struggles might be attributed to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter or one other issue, since he did not contemplate it an “off night time” but in addition did not have “long-term considerations.”
“I am simply not going to permit your phrases to be my phrases, that is all,” Tomlin responded.
Rodgers, nonetheless, mentioned himself after the sport that he felt it was an uncharacteristic efficiency.
“A number of stuff wasn't working,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday. “We have been dangerous on third down. I used to be just a bit bit off. … I missed, clearly, some throws, for positive. After which we weren't getting guys open and simply put all of it collectively instances the blokes have been open. I missed some throws I normally make.”
Simply three weeks earlier, Rodgers accomplished 23 of 34 makes an attempt for a season-high 249 yards and 4 touchdowns with two interceptions towards the Bengals, who the Steelers host in a rematch Sunday. In that sport, working again Jaylen Warren additionally exploded for 127 yards on 16 carries and a season-high 7.9 yards per carry.
After the loss to the Chargers, Rodgers advocated for Warren to get extra touches. The fourth-year again had 14 carries for 70 yards towards the Chargers, averaging 5 yards per carry. He has 474 dashing yards, three whole touchdowns and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry this season.
“Jaylen made some very nice performs,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday. “He is a gifted man. We acquired to provide him extra touches.”
Warren, although, was out-snapped by Kenneth Gainwell 26-23 towards the Chargers, although Gainwell did not have a carry and had two receptions on three targets for 4 yards. Warren had two catches on two targets for 21 yards.
Tomlin attributed Warren's snap depend to an absence of drive-sustaining third-down conversions. The Steelers have been 2-for-11 on third down towards the Chargers and rank twenty sixth within the league changing on simply 36% of their third downs. The Steelers additionally rank final with a mean of 55 offensive performs per sport, down from 62.6 a 12 months in the past.
“We win extra third downs, we'll get Jaylen extra touches,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday. “It is so simple as that. Jaylen was having the trajectory of a great day in L.A., however we did not convert sufficient third downs so that you can actually, actually really feel it.”
Warren did not play a single third down, and Tomlin rebuffed the concept that Warren might change Gainwell as the first third-down again.
“I am comfy with each backs in possession-down ball,” Tomlin mentioned. “Not taking something away from Jaylen. He performs lots on first and second down. You bought to provide him alternatives to catch a break, and so typically it is on third down, typically it is not. Typically we'll give different ball carriers the beginning of a possession.
“He simply merely can not play each down, however I am fully comfy using each guys on possession-down play.”
