Despite interception on first pass, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers thrilled with early progress

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jul 24, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — On the first throw of his 21st NFL training camp, Aaron Rodgers’ pass was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen, who celebrated the pick by heaving the ball in the air after a short return.

Ho hum. Nothing new for Rodgers, who has attempted 8,425 passes in his Hall of Fame career, eighth most in NFL history.

“It’s good to get that out of the way,” Rodgers said. “I’m gonna throw some picks, but I’m gonna throw some touchdowns, too.”

Indeed, that has been a hallmark of Rodgers’ career, who at age 41 begins another chapter with his third NFL team. He has thrown 503 touchdowns in his career — only four players in history have more — and with six more in the regular season, he will pass his former Green Bay Packers teammate Brett Favre.

That’s the hope and anticipation the Steelers have for the former four-time league MVP, who took the practice field at Saint Vincent College for the first time Thursday.

“I think it’s coming together,” Rodgers said, surrounded by a horde of media after a 90-minute non-padded practice. “It’s times like this — with these 17 or so practices that we have here and finding the chemistry and hanging out with each other in the lunch room and the different times that we have — growing together through our practice.”

Rodgers was asked if he agreed with general manager Omar Khan’s assertion the Steelers are built to be a Super Bowl contender. His answer was curious.

“I think most of the 32 teams would probably say something to that accord at this time of the year,” Rodgers said. “I think that there's really only six to eight that really have a legitimate chance. Sometimes it's 10 to 12, and there’s teams that surprise you. But I would say on paper, we're probably one of those 10 to 12.”

Rodgers arrived on campus Tuesday night, a day earlier than players were scheduled to report. He was surprised but glad to discover his dormitory roommate was another new addition to the offense — receiver DK Metcalf.

Despite his status as one of the game’s all-time great stars, Rodgers always had a training camp roommate for the 18 years he played with the Packers. His favorite was long snapper Brett Goode, who played 10 seasons in Green Bay.

“I was secretly kind of hoping it wasn’t a big lineman or maybe somebody who cared about their hygiene a little bit,” Rodgers said. “So when I walked in, I saw a standard suitcase, I said, ‘Oh, I think it’s going to be good. This is probably DK.’ ”

The Steelers are hoping the relationship of Rodgers and Metcalf, who was acquired in a trade after six seasons in Seattle, will work great on the field, too.

“DK and I have worked out in the offseason together,” Rodgers said. “We’ve got a good relationship. We talked about a lot of football stuff. We FaceTime. We texted during the offseason after minicamp. So we’ve got a good relationship. It’s going to just keep on growing.”

Said Metcalf: “I’m going to soak up as much knowledge as I can. He’s had some great receivers in the past, and I’m trying to be another one.”

But it wasn’t just Metcalf who worked out with Rodgers after he signed a one-year, $13.6 million contract June 7 that could pay him nearly $20 million with incentives. Rodgers invited several of his new teammates, including tight end Pat Freiermuth and receivers Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller, to Malibu, Calif., for workouts.

“We had a good time,” Rodgers said. “Calvin hadn’t seen the ocean before, so that was cool. We had a couple nice throwing sessions, good workout sessions, dinners. The dolphins kind of went by right at the perfect time, and one of the guys — I don’t want to embarrass him — asked if they pay the dolphins to do that, to go by at a certain time. So we had a lot of fun.”

Rodgers has been allowed to continue that leadership role since. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has given his new quarterback the opportunity to speak up in meetings, and Rodgers has taken advantage of the offer.

“I’m always just trying to let the guys know what I’m thinking,” Rodgers said. “It’s been great communication between Tom [Arth, quarterbacks coach] and Matt [Baker, offensive assistant] and Arthur and myself. Mike [Tomlin] was in the room this morning talking to us.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it really has, and I’m enjoying the process. Things are going to get better and look better as we go, but I’m excited about where we are in Day 1.”