The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t bring Aaron Rodgers in to lose games and not compete with the best of them in the NFL. They brought him in with a goal in mind, and Mike Tomlin acknowledged that after the Steelers won the AFC North with a very impressive win against the Baltimore Ravens.
After a statement win that clinched Pittsburgh’s first-place standing in the AFC North race, now winning the division, Tomlin made it clear that this was always the plan.
From the moment the Steelers landed Rodgers in the offseason, the expectation was that he would be the difference in games that decide the division.
“This was the vision in the spring when we pursued him,” Tomlin said of Rodgers, per ESPN. “That’s why you do business with a 42-year-old guy, been-there, done-that guy with a résumé like his. He’s not only capable; he thrives in it. I think he put that on display tonight.”
The AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football, and while there were some injuries that helped the Steelers, Pittsburgh also dealt with its fair share of injuries.
For Rodgers, the Steelers didn’t want a long-term option or a franchise quarterback. They believed they had a chance to win and knew they were a good QB away from doing so.
Rodgers looked poised late in the game against the Ravens, a trait that he’s had throughout his entire career. If a team gives Rodgers two minutes on the clock down a couple of points, he’s typically going to get the job done.
That trait showed up again during the win, and Rodgers acknowledged how difficult the season has been and how proud he is of everyone.
“We haven’t made it easy on ourselves, really all season, I guess,” Rodgers said with a smirk. “But I’m proud of our guys. I’m proud of the way that we responded multiple times after they took a lead. It just takes a little belief at this point in the season.”
Pittsburgh has a lot more football to hopefully play. It’s tough to say the Steelers are the favorites, but why can’t they come out of the AFC?