It was the best single quarter of the season for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
In leading the Steelers to a division-clinching win over the Ravens, Rodgers compiled a red-hot 130.9 passer rating during the double rally in the fourth quarter.
Specifically, there was the 31-yard laser beam to Pat Freiermuth down the seam to set up the Steelers' first TD of the quarter, and then there was the 26-yard strike to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left. They were thrown on third-and-8 and third-and-10 snaps.
How do those throws –- particularly the game-winner to Austin – rank on Rodgers' all-time list?
"The degree of difficulty wasn't that high," said Rodgers. "The moment obviously made that a little more special. Cal's had 3 touchdowns this year, each one of them were pretty important: take the lead against the Jets, take the lead against New England, and take the lead against Baltimore. So proud of him. Coming back, he obviously adds a good element to our offense. But it wasn't the best of my career."
Rodgers is happy and optimistic about the Steelers as they head into the playoffs. It's his first appearance in the postseason since 2021, and he got there this time with high drama. The Steelers had to rally three times to beat their rivals, and players such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who spent four seasons in Green Bay with him, said after the game that he never doubts Rodgers with the game on the line.
"That's what you want," Rodgers said. "You know, when you're a kid and you grow up and watch your idols, for me it was the guys with the ball in their hand late in the game. It was Joe Montana and Steve Young and Michael Jordan. The conversation around a lot of those guys is that there's an incredible belief that when it's the last seconds and MJ's got the ball in his hands, he's going to make it. When it's ball on the 8-yard line, need a touchdown to win the game, and Joe's making comments about John Candy up in the stands, everybody kind of has a belief they're gonna go down score. So, when you grow up reading about that stuff and want to emulate your idols, you want to have that belief from your teammates, that when we get the ball in that situation with 2:20 (left), there's not a doubt in their mind we're gonna go down and score.
"I think a lot of that is due to the work we put in during the week. The other part is the connection that you make during the week, and spending time together watching film and growing closer together, so that in those moments you don't want to let the guys down. That's my mindset when I'm in the moment like that. I know why I'm here and why they brought me here, and I've got to come through in those moments because I don't want to let my teammates down, Mike T(omlin) down, Arthur (Smith) down, Mr. (Art) Rooney, all those guys. That's motivation. You can harness it the right way."
Rodgers is particularly grateful for Tomlin. After the game, TV cameras caught the two in a going-to-the-playoffs moment.
"It started back in April when I came out here and visited with him, and then the conversations that we had during those months," Rodgers said. "I've enjoyed my time with Mike immensely. Mike is a phenomenal leader. He's great in front of the room. We have our meetings Wednesdays and Thursday mornings with the quarterbacks that are really, really helpful, seeing his perspective on the plan, on the opponent every single week. So it's been a great experience. I really appreciate Mike, and I'm just thankful that he was a part of bringing me here."
Speaking of gratitude, Rodgers was quite pleased about the work he and his leading receiver, DK Metcalf, were able to get in Wednesday upon Metcalf's return from a two-week absence.
"DK is the number one receiver, so it's great having DK back," Rodgers said. "He's real thankful to be back, I know. And we're all thankful to have him back as well. DK, one of the things I love about him – there are a lot of things – but DK kind of knows one speed. So, although it was like a fast jog-through today, or fast walk-through I guess, as they say, not for me and DK. I like the work that we put in today."
