'A mistake': Aaron Rodgers at war with Steelers coaches as Jerome Bettis accuses team of abandoning their soul
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have made headlines this offseason by landing
Aaron Rodgers
and DK Metcalf, but not everyone's convinced the glitzy moves align with the team's traditional DNA. In fact, Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis is ringing the alarm bells—and Rodgers might be silently agreeing.
Jerome Bettis questions Steelers' identity shift away from
run-first football
Aaron Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh for what could be his final NFL season, bringing a Hall of Fame résumé and a clear philosophy: he thrives in a controlled, efficient, pass-first offense. But that clashes with what offensive coordinator
Arthur Smith
has planned—a ground-heavy, tight end–centric scheme that echoes old-school football more than Rodgers' up-tempo style.
Bettis, appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, didn't hold back.
When Patrick asked about the departure of running back Najee Harris and whether Rodgers changes the team's approach, Bettis was clear: 'They're going to run the football. They drafted [a] young kid from Iowa who's really, really good running back.'
Jerome Bettis on the Dan Patrick Show Full Interview | 07/10/25
He emphasized that even with Rodgers and Metcalf on board, abandoning the run game would be a fundamental mistake. 'If you ask Aaron Rodgers to throw the ball 40 times, that's a mistake,' Bettis warned.
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His logic? At 41, Rodgers shouldn't be scrambling or absorbing unnecessary hits. The offense should play through the run to maximize play-action and control tempo.
Clash of philosophies between Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith looms large
The tension deepens when you examine Arthur Smith's history. Known for heavy run schemes, multiple tight end sets, and complex pre-snap motion, Smith's system is almost the antithesis of what Rodgers prefers. The quarterback's track record thrives in motion-light, single-tight-end, pass-heavy playbooks—a setup far from what Pittsburgh appears to be building.
Even Bettis acknowledged this delicate balance: 'He's moving. He's getting the ball out. He's, you know, quick in the huddle, out of the huddle, running.' That doesn't mesh easily with Smith's grind-it-out game plans.
Beyond the philosophical divide, practical concerns remain. Pittsburgh's backfield, featuring rookie Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, is unproven. Meanwhile, the offensive line—an Achilles' heel for Rodgers in New York—must protect its aging quarterback or risk an early collapse.
Also Read:
What we learned about Joe Burrow's mindset, swagger and quirky side from Netflix's 'Quarterback'
The Steelers' attempt to fuse new-school talent with old-school identity could either produce fireworks—or a full-blown identity crisis. As Bettis said, this isn't about names on paper. It's about knowing who you are—and sticking to it.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
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