The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off their second straight win after besting the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. While the 24-21 final score would suggest this game was a nailbiter, the Steelers held comfortable control of this contest for the vast majority of the game... and Aaron Rodgers is largely to thank.
Rodgers commanded the offense in Week 4, making necessary calls at the line of scrimmage. Though he got the ball out quickly in the passing game, the 41-year-old was decisive—routinely finding the right place to go with the football. This led to a remarkable 81.8 completion percentage while throwing for 9.1 yards per attempt and earning a 119.7 passer rating.
Rodgers isn't the same quarterback he once was. But his confidence is sky high... and one play proves it.
Late in the game, the Steelers ran a QB sneak with tight end Connor Heyward on fourth-and-inches, and Rodgers' demeanor said it all.
.@AaronRodgers12's reaction after the tush push 😂
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025
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We don't expect the 21-year veteran to mix it up in the pile much this season, but Rodgers didn't even give the illusion that he was going to block on this play. Instead, the future Hall of Famer stood with his hands on his hips and confidently signaled for the first down, as if he were the lead official in this contest.
This somewhat comical play tells us nothing about Rodgers' performance against the Vikings in Week 4. Rather, it tells us everything we needed to know about his confidence level this year.
Aaron Rodgers' unmatched confidence will go a long way with his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates
Contrary to what some Pittsburgh Steelers fans expected when he signed with the team, Rodgers is not throwing players under the bus or putting himself on a pedestal. Instead, in the first quarter of the 2025 season, he's giving off an unexpected energy that nobody would expect from the oldest player in the NFL.
Rodgers isn't going to be able to do the same things on the field that he did in his younger years with the Packers. He can't buy extra time and extend the play like he once did, or hold the ball as long in the pocket like he did during his time with the Green Bay Packers. However, Rodgers is masking his shortcomings by taking on the ultimate leadership role.
Entering the Steelers' Week 5 bye, Rodgers helped lead Pittsburgh to a 3-1 record while throwing eight touchdowns to three interceptions for 7.3 yards per attempt and a combined passer rating of 102.6.
The Steelers are tied for second place in the AFC. If the defense continues to improve, and the offense can keep rallying behind Aaron Rodgers, perhaps that will be enough for this team to compete in the postseason.
Rodgers certainly doesn't lack the confidence to get there, and you could see him oozing with it on just one play against the Vikings.