New Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not be taking his first snap in a black and gold uniform this weekend.
The former league MVP will sit in Friday’s preseason opener against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Thursday, along with several Steelers starters, including wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive lineman Cam Heyward.
“I’ve identified some guys that won’t be playing in this game this week,” Tomlin said, according to Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Show.” “It has nothing to do with injury. They need less runway to take off, to be quite honest with you, because of their experience and where they are in their careers. Oftentimes, I preserve them through this process while providing more opportunities for those that need more preparation and more opportunity to display their talents.”
Rodgers, who last appeared in a preseason game two years ago with the Jets, is listed first on the depth chart, followed by veteran backup Mason Rudolph.
Rookie Will Howard is third, although he’s currently sidelined due to injury, followed by former Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson.
Rodgers, 41, officially turned the page on his unremarkable Jets tenure earlier this offseason after agreeing to a one-year, $13.65 million deal with Pittsburgh.
“It starts with Mike Tomlin,” the Super Bowl-winning quarterback said of his decision to link up with the Steelers in June. “I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. There are a few iconic franchises in the NFL. I played for one of them for 18 years. This is another one of those.”
Rodgers, who began his career in Green Bay in 2005, had put football on the back burner during free agency as he tended to matters in his personal life.
He signed on the dotted line in June when “things improved a little bit where I felt like I could be all in.”
“I had great conversations with Mike and [general manager] Omar [Khan] throughout the process,” said Rodgers, who previously suggested this season could be his last.
When Rodgers does make his Steelers debut, he’ll be doing so as a newlywed after revealing in June he’s been married “a couple of months.”
He confirmed his relationship with a woman named Brittani last December.
Rodgers appeared in all 17 regular-season games with the Jets last year, when he threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
He missed most of the 2023 season after rupturing his Achilles in Week 1.
The Steelers will host the Buccaneers in their second preseason game next week and will visit the Panthers in the preseason finale on Aug. 21.
The Jets host Pittsburgh in the Week 1 opener on Sept. 7.