Time is quickly running out for Aaron Rodgers and his career as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback. It's admirable in a locker room when a player toughs it out and plays through an injury, like Rodgers did this past week. He played through three fractures in his wrist and returned to the game after getting leveled by Joey Bosa early in the second half against the Buffalo Bills.
While his attempt to stay on the field and help his team win games is commendable, it's also not a good look.
Finding himself kicked in and out of the lineup in his past two starts continues to highlight how his age has become a negative factor. Many were concerned when the 42-year-old joined the Steelers in the offseason, especially with an unproven offensive line in front of him. It had been working out, but his last three starts have really seen him struggle.
Broderick Jones is out for the season, and protecting Rodgers’s blind side is an even bigger concern moving forward. The veteran gunslinger is known to be a tough player, but it's hard to imagine the old timer sticking in the lineup based on the team's current trajectory. Things are falling apart quickly in Pittsburgh as the season continues to unravel, as Rodgers' age is finally catching up to him.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers consistent injury concerns are too much to handle
Many look back on Ben Roethlisberger's career and remember the constant injuries he played through. Oddly enough, it seemed like he played better hurt than when he was fully healthy. Rodgers has shown he can play with grit when an injury hits him in the middle of the season, but that might not be the case here.
He has struggled as the Steelers’ quarterback over the past six games.
The offense as a whole looks stale, and everyone wants to point a finger elsewhere. Not every fault on offense is Rodgers, but he is a key factor in their shortcomings. His injury hasn't helped things since he can't take a snap under center, and he has missed some throws he would normally make. Perhaps it's the injury, or maybe Father Time has finally caught up to the fragile old man. Time will tell.
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The truth of the matter is, their quarterback hasn't played a strong game since they played the Cincinnati Bengals five weeks ago. Their offense has sputtered during that stretch, relying on defensive turnovers to ease the fans’ frustration.
Rodgers must turn things around for the remainder of the season, or his career could end on a dud.
Playing through injury is admirable and will have your teammates like you more, but if you are a liability, it's a waste of time. It's still too early to consider benching the future Hall of Fame quarterback, but it's not far off. If the Steelers fall completely out of playoff contention over the next couple of weeks, they would be wise to see what they have in Will Howard the rest of the season.