PITTSBURGH – Drop the name of Aaron Rodgers to a couple of friendly strangers in the Steel City and it doesn’t matter that you’ve just met. Pass the truth serum. In these parts, where the fans bleed Black and Gold, it seems that everybody has some passionate opinion about the new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
“I was expecting this to happen,” Corrine Farrell said. “But I’m extremely disappointed with the Steelers organization.”
As Farrell broke down her reasoning with USA TODAY Sports on a plaza at PNC Park before the Pirates took on the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night – she is skeptical of how Rodgers will impact locker room chemistry, wonders about the one-year commitment and among other concerns, didn’t feel his anti-vax stance — Arianna Lower sat behind her and provided background optics.
Lower flashed a thumb-down and shook her head.
“Steelers fans, we’ve been through the ringer,” Lower said. “I just want something to last. I want a Josh Allen.”
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Taking the pulse from fans about Rodgers, 41, was quite the exercise during a rain delay that pushed back the first pitch. And it was apparent that for all the items on Rodgers’ agenda as he seeks to regain the form that allowed him to earn four NFL MVP awards, winning over the Steelers’ rabid fan base is also a legitimate challenge.
Master a new system. Mesh with new teammates. Adapt to a new city. Shoot, convincing Steelers Nation that he is the answer might be tougher than any of that.
Of course, winning can change hearts and minds – and well, winning big when considering a franchise that has never had a losing season in coach Mike Tomlin’s 18-year tenure but hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016 – but there is no free pass.
Source: USA Today
