Aaron Rodgers Is All In on Practice - Because for Him, That’s Where Games Are Won
For a guy with four MVPs, a Super Bowl ring, and more than two decades of NFL experience under his belt, Aaron Rodgers still treats practice like it’s everything. Not just a tune-up.
Not just a formality. For Rodgers, practice is the game before the game - and he’s doubling down on that mindset as the Steelers push toward a playoff berth.
At 42 years old, Rodgers knows his way around a football field, but he also knows that chemistry isn’t something that magically appears on Sundays. It’s built Monday through Saturday, one rep at a time.
“I’m one of the old guys,” Rodgers said this week, “so not the oldest guy in the league, but I’ve been a part of a lot of these games where you have to approach it the same way. As crazy as it might sound, the best way to play well on game day is to find a way to make the game seem like practice.”
That’s not just a philosophy - it’s a process. And right now, it’s starting to show up in the win column.
The Steelers have rattled off two straight victories and are heading into a crucial matchup against a desperate Lions team in Detroit. The Lions are clinging to their playoff hopes and need a win to stay alive.
For Pittsburgh, this is more than just another game - it’s a chance to tighten their grip on the AFC North and inch closer to hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2020, and the first time with fans in the stands since 2017.
Rodgers’ attention to detail in practice is rubbing off on his teammates - especially in the passing game. Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was elevated to the 53-man roster just before the win over Baltimore, caught his first touchdown as a Steeler in that game.
Veteran Adam Thielen, a steady presence since joining the team, has recorded a catch in each of his first two appearances. Rodgers has been vocal in his praise for both, emphasizing how important those practice reps have been in building trust and timing.
“The only way to do that is to make practice as game-like as possible,” Rodgers said. “That’s why practice is so important to me.”
This isn’t a new stance for Rodgers. Earlier in the season, after a frustrating loss to Buffalo and some miscommunication with tight end Jonnu Smith, he pointed to the lack of cohesion that comes from not being fully locked in during the week.
Film study, walkthroughs, live reps - it all matters. And Rodgers is making sure every snap counts, especially now.
After being limited in recent weeks with a left wrist injury, Rodgers was a full participant in Thursday’s practice - a promising sign for a Steelers team that’s gaining momentum at just the right time. Whether this is Rodgers’ final season or not, he’s treating it like every moment could be the last. And that means no rep is wasted.
“Every rep matters, even if it’s a walkthrough,” he said. “You have to play the game out Monday to Saturday so when you get to Sunday, on game day, it feels like practice.”
That mindset - practiced, precise, and relentlessly focused - is exactly what’s fueling this Steelers team down the stretch. And if Rodgers has his way, it won’t just be practice that feels like the game. It’ll be the playoffs.