Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers kicked off minicamp on Tuesday, marking his first workout with the team. The 41-year-old quarterback is set to play alongside veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard in the Steelers’ mandatory three-day minicamp.
Rodgers joins the Steelers after signing a one-year contract on Saturday, replacing Russell Wilson, who did not re-sign with the team. Pat Freiermuth, tight end and Rodgers’ locker room neighbor, expressed excitement to work with the new quarterback. “I’m excited to get to know him and work with him,” Freiermuth said.
Rodgers made a favorable impression on his new teammates, including Mason Rudolph, who is expected to back up the veteran quarterback. Rudolph praised Rodgers’ willingness to learn and adapt, saying he was “very inquisitive about the offense” and “friendly.” Rookie Will Howard also expressed enthusiasm for working with Rodgers, calling him a “super down-to-earth guy.”
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin welcomed the challenge of defending against Rodgers, who he described as a “pain in the rear.” However, Austin acknowledged that Rodgers’ accuracy and arm strength remain unchanged at 41. “The only thing that has probably changed is he’s not running as much in terms of trying to get away,” Austin said.
As minicamp comes to an end, Rodgers will have approximately six weeks to adjust to the Steelers’ playbook and build a rapport with his playmakers before training camp begins. The quarterback group includes Rudolph, Thompson, and Howard, all eager to maximize their time together and work towards a successful season.
Source: https://triblive.com/sports/aaron-rodgers-takes-part-in-1st-workout-with-steelers-as-minicamp-begins