Aaron Rodgers threw his first interception as a Pittsburgh Steeler, and despite a difficult day at the offense thanks to pressure applied by the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, it wasn’t the veteran QB’s fault.
In the third quarter, Rodgers looked to capitalize on a 65-yard catch and run from Jaylen Warren with a redzone touchdown pass that would break the tie he set with his predecessor, Brett Favre, earlier in the game for the NFL’s No. 4 spot on the all-time passing touchdowns leader list. He rolled left and looked for tight end Pat Freiermuth in the back corner of the endzone, but Seattle cornerback Darion Kendrick came away with the redzone takeaway.
Kendrick had a shot at the ball because Calvin Austin made an attempt at the ball himself. He was out of position to make the play and inadvertently tipped the ball to Kendrick.
Aaron Rodgers’ trust in Pittsburgh Steelers WR Calvin Austin tested after untimely interception
Rodgers, even through his struggles in recent seasons, doesn’t throw many red-zone interceptions. He averages roughly one per season throughout his career. Understandably, Rodgers came away from the play visibly frustrated with Austin for thwarting the touchdown effort.
Derion Kendrick gets his interception on Aaron Rodgers!
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
SEAvsPIT on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/PQpmb7TajZ
Both Austin and Freiermuth had out-breaking routes to the short side of the field in the endzone. When the play broke down, both players made the same adjustment, pushing further into the endzone to create separation. Rodgers motioned to Austin after the play that he should have stayed shallow with Freiermuth already deeper than him.
In Week 1, Austin looked to have taken a firm lead in the WR2 conversation with four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown grab. He was held without a catch on two targets in Week 2, and didn’t receive another target after the mishap in the red zone until late in the fourth quarter, despite Pittsburgh falling behind two scores in the immediate aftermath of the play.
Austin has been in the doghouse before, and it probably won’t be the last time. He’s a young player still growing into a prominent role, so he’ll get more chances as the season progresses.
Clearly, however, he’ll have to make quick adjustments to get on the same page as his quarterback. Rodgers is at the stage where he’s forgotten more about redzone nuance than Austin has learned. The fourth-year wideout just needs to get back in the lab with his QB and pick up some of that nuance to keep it from happening again.