Rodgers sits out final preseason game

Rodgers sits out the final preseason game as Pittsburgh eyes a Week 1 debut.

Aaron Rodgers will not play Steelers preseason finale Thursday

Rodgers will not play in the Steelers preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed. The move keeps the veteran quarterback off the field as Pittsburgh shifts focus to Week 1, when he is expected to make his first appearance in a Steelers uniform at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets. Several other starters are also sidelined for the game, including DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt.

Historically, Rodgers has limited or skipped preseason action, a pattern he carried from his Jets tenure. He last played in a preseason game in 2023, and this year he has used joint practices to get work against an opposing defense. In practice with Tampa Bay’s starting defense, the Steelers showed a strong start in the seven shots drill but stalled in the late two-minute drill, highlighting areas where the offense can improve. Rodgers downplayed the idea that Thursday’s game is a test, emphasizing growth and film study as the season approaches.

The decision to hold Rodgers out of the finale fits a broader strategy of protecting a veteran quarterback who is entering a new offense and a new team. It also mirrors a cautious approach in a sport where health matters more than exhibition. Yet there is a tradeoff: missing game reps could leave the offense with rust coming into a real contest. The joint practices suggest progress, but the absence of live game action may complicate chemistry for a unit still learning its identity. In the coming weeks, the Steelers will be judged not by preseason results but by how quickly that offense can translate practice work into production on game day.

This pause in the preseason schedule could be part of a larger NFL trend to manage workload for aging quarterbacks. How Pittsburgh balances health with rhythm will shape early-season outcomes and the integrity of the offense around Rodgers. The Jets game looms as the first real test, with Week 1 serving as a milestone for a franchise betting on stability over short-term shine.

Highlights

Time will tell if patience pays off for a smoother season start.