Mike Tomlin Considering Practice Changes After Aaron Rodgers' Comments

PITTSBURGH Following Pittsburgh Steelers 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized the teams practice sessions leading up to the game. Rodgers described the week as terrible, stating, I thought we had a better preparation week and a poor practice week Im not sure if it was cold weather or what it was, but it wasnt our best week of practice.

During his Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin addressed Rodgers remarks and indicated a willingness to make changes. Im open to doing whatever it is that we need to do, Tomlin said. Obviously in an effort to make practice better, sometimes practice gets challenging, particularly at the early portions of the week. Not making that as an excuse, thats just the reality of our business. Im sure people that we compete against miss significant players as well. How we navigate that oftentimes during the week is an example of how we might navigate it during the course of the weekend, and certainly, last week based on the results were not good enough.

Rodgers also mentioned issues with the receiving corps in his postgame interview. When asked about improving the passing game, he stated, When theres film sessions, everyone shows up. When I check to a route, you do the right route. Jonnu [Smith] and I werent on the same page. I checked to his in-breaker and he ran an out-breaker. Jonnu is a true professional, so Im sure hes sick about that.

The quarterback highlighted a recurring lack of synchronization with his receivers over recent weeks. He also took responsibility for mistakes on the field, acknowledging a poorly thrown pass to Roman Wilson in the first quarter. I believe in the coaching staff. I believe in Mike Tomlin. Thats why I came here, Rodgers said. Players need to take accountability. Myself included. I will. And I will continue to. Ive got to play better.

Rodgers finished Sundays game completing 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, and a passer rating of 65.0 marking his lowest completion percentage and yardage for a game this season where he played all four quarters.

Reporting by Alan Saunders, Pittsburgh.

Author: Sophia Brooks