Jets fans saw the latest Aaron Rodgers–Steelers meltdown coming a mile away

The Pittsburgh Steelers were supposed to be the perfect landing spot for Aaron Rodgers. They've been hailed as the NFL’s gold standard for stability and accountability under head coach Mike Tomlin.

Instead, it took Rodgers three months to crack the single most consistent, buttoned-up football culture in the league. Genuinely impressive work from the future Hall of Famer, and New York Jets fans saw it coming a mile away.

Following Sunday’s ugly 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers fell to 6-6, but the record isn’t the real story here. The real story is Rodgers delivering the latest chapter of the same drama Jets fans watched play out last year.

Rodgers lit up his teammates and took subtle shots at the team's coaching staff in his postgame presser. He specifically called out communication issues with tight end Jonnu Smith, angrily proclaiming that when he checks to a route, he needs his receivers to run the right route.

"When there's film sessions, everybody shows up. When I check to a route, you do the right route. Jonnu and I weren’t on the same page. I checked to his in-breaker and he ran an out-breaker."

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers went on to criticize the team’s preparation during the week, calling it a “poor practice week” with bad energy and tempo. When defensive captain Cam Heyward was asked about Rodgers criticizing the team’s focus midweek, he simply said: “Ask Aaron.”

Things are reaching a boiling point in Pittsburgh, and it's hard not to point fingers at the man under center for helping tear down one of the sport's most impressive football cultures in just three months.

Jets fans knew this stage of the Aaron Rodgers experience was coming

Jets fans know exactly what comes next. This is the same pattern that unfolded in Florham Park. First come the subtle digs. Then the “run the right route” complaints. Then the “practice wasn’t good enough” jabs. Then the public finger-pointing when the offense stalls.

Rodgers has a long history of externalizing blame, and in Pittsburgh, he seems to be running the same playbook. The difference this time is that he’s doing it as part of the most resilient culture in the NFL. The Steelers don’t implode. The Steelers don’t fracture. The Steelers don’t point fingers.

And yet, Rodgers arrives, and within a matter of months, the cracks are showing. Public criticism. Snippy responses. Star veterans shrugging off their QB’s leadership. Offense completely disjointed. Tomlin forced to field questions about internal “energy” and “focus” issues.

Three months. That’s all it took.

The Steelers remain tied for the AFC North lead at 6-6, but nothing about this franchise feels stable right now. Pittsburgh expected Rodgers to elevate the locker room. Instead, they’re dealing with the same chaos the Jets escaped.

Jets fans warned them. They saw this version of Rodgers up close. They fell for the trap and ultimately paid the price.

And now Pittsburgh is living it, in real time, as the meltdown stage of the Aaron Rodgers experience begins. Is it too late to say told you so?