Mike Tomlin has coached a lot of quarterbacks over the years, but he seems to like Aaron Rodgers a whole lot.
Speaking earlier in the week, Tomlin highlighted their relationship and why things have clicked so quickly with Rodgers. It wasn’t about talent or anything else, as it was about the relationship and both understanding what it takes to win at the highest level.
“I think we got to be connected,” Tomlin said, per ESPN. “There's a loneliness with leadership. There's a responsibility with leadership. And so I've just learned over the years to embrace that component of it, that we got to spend time together. We got to have an understanding.
“... It's been really fun because he has an appetite for it. He loves the process as much as he loves competing. He's got an awesome relationship with football. He's at the point in his career where he's really reflective and excited about giving back to the game and the young people in the game. And so it's fun to do that with him.”
Rodgers isn’t a quarterback looking for validation or trying to prove he still belongs, as he’s a Hall of Famer.
Tomlin’s comments also show off his own approach. He’s always shown that leadership can be something that helps his team win, as many view him as one of the best leaders in NFL history.
It’ll be interesting to see if this relationship can continue beyond this, but for now, the Steelers will be focused on what they and Rodgers can do against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.
Rodgers is clearly ready to show that Pittsburgh can be the team that does it, and he knows that better than anyone.
"It's a clean slate now," Rodgers said. "Anybody can make a run. It's the hottest team. We've won four out of five. We're playing a lot better football than we were earlier in the season. I like our chances."
Regardless of whether the Steelers win or lose, the season has gone about as planned. With Rodgers being this old, no fans should be too upset if the Steelers don’t win it all.