Practice? We’re talking about practice? Not a game, practice.
To be efficient and best prepared for the game, Aaron Rodgers is all about reps and successful drills in practice.
The 42-year-old quarterback has won four MVPs and defeated the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, but remains dedicated to the work done on the practice fields to create good chemistry and relationships come game days.
“I’m one of the old guys, 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,” Rodgers told the media this week. “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.”
Practice is starting to pay off. The Steelers have won two games in a row and play a desperate Lions team in Detroit on Sunday. The Lions need to win to keep their playoff hopes likely, currently on the outside looking in.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught his first touchdown as a Steeler against Baltimore and was promoted to the 53-man roster before the game. Veteran Adam Thielen has a catch in each of his first two appearances, and Rodgers has spoken glowingly about both pass catchers.
Rodgers wants to treat every rep like it’s a game.
“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.”
It’s not the first time Rodgers has preached about practice or film study, speaking on its importance after losing to Buffalo and being on the wrong page with Jonnu Smith.
The Lions game will be a big litmus test for who the Steelers will be to close the regular season. At 8-6, the Steelers are in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North and host a home playoff game for the first time since 2020 and the first time with fans in the stands since 2017.
After being limited in practice the past few weeks with his left wrist injury, Rodgers was a full participant on Thursday. In what is possibly his final season, the veteran is trying to make every single rep count.
“Every rep matters, even if it’s a walkthrough,” Rodgers said. “You have to play the game out Monday to Saturday so when you get to Sunday, on game day, it feels like practice.”
