Steelers’ protection against Colts needed Aaron Rodgers’ pocket presence

Aaron Rodgers took only one sack while throwing 31 passes in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and his ability to keep passes alive deserves part of the credit. But that doesn’t make every successful throw a successful block.

Mike McCarthy praised the near-43-year-old quarterback’s timing and pocket movement. Sunday’s passing game produced a touchdown through contact and a crucial conversion after Rodgers escaped the pocket.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line changes under McCarthy put Brock Hoffman at right guard and Max Iheanachor at right tackle. Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick shifted to the left side, leaving center Zach Frazier as the only lineman in his 2025 spot.

Aaron Rodgers’ timing helps the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass protection hold up

“I thought our time clocks were better today. I thought Aaron did a great job of staying on time. I thought his pocket presence was excellent,” McCarthy said.

Of course, on time doesn’t automatically mean quick. A deeper route takes longer to develop than a quick slant, and both can operate as intended. Holding the ball after an opening appears can undo sound blocking. Releasing it before a receiver’s ready can waste the opportunity the blockers provided.

Jaylen Warren’s 80-yard touchdown came after Rodgers took a hit from Grover Stewart, as Pittsburgh’s official game recap described. Warren supplied the running after the catch, and DK Metcalf helped clear the sideline.

Rodgers deserves credit for getting that throw away through contact. Whether a blocker let him down depends on the assignment, and the hit alone doesn’t establish that.

“He’s excellent coming out of the backfield, and he’s as tough as they come in pass pro. Our protection adjustment packages are multiple,” McCarthy said of Warren.

Keeping a back in can help the line pick up pressure, but Rodgers has one fewer immediate receiving option.

Rodgers escaped to find Germie Bernard for 25 yards on third-and-2 in the fourth quarter, with Pittsburgh leading 24-22. That kept the drive alive, which ended with Pat Freiermuth’s 17-yard touchdown and a two-possession lead.

“I thought he did a really nice job in the A and B gaps, escapes, and things like that,” McCarthy said of Rodgers’ pocket movement.

The A gaps sit beside the center, while the B gaps separate guards and tackles. A tackle can steer an edge rusher behind the intended throwing spot and still watch his quarterback drift into trouble. Stepping forward can preserve that block. A lineman shouldn’t get blamed for pressure his quarterback creates by wandering into it.

DeForest Buckner ended another possession by dropping Rodgers for a 10-yard loss on third-and-10 late in the third quarter. Pittsburgh punted, and Indianapolis cut the lead to two on its next drive.

“I think every time we talk about the O-line, the importance of having five starters play together every day is a critical factor to the O-line being successful. So we’ve had three weeks of that now,” McCarthy said.

Familiarity can help Hoffman and Iheanachor exchange rushers when defenders cross paths, instead of both chasing the same man. Pittsburgh allowed five sacks against the Cleveland Browns last week, when McCarthy said Cleveland challenged the offense with five-man pressures and man coverage.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow