After yet another disappointing outing, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t soften his message — he publicly called out teammates, including wide‑receiver Jonnu Smith, for what he described as unprofessional conduct that contributed to the team’s dismal performance.
Rodgers laid bare his frustrations with the offense, telling media that too many players had skipped film sessions and that too often they didn’t run the right routes.
As he put it: when you “check to a route, run the right route.”
By implication, Rodgers made clear that part of the blame lies in lack of preparation and execution — not scheme, not the defense, but in discipline and effort.
The criticism comes in the wake of a lopsided loss in which the offense failed to produce. Rodgers’ blunt remarks echoed concerns already circulating among fans and analysts: a collapse not just by the quarterback, but by the entire offensive unit. Given the gravity of the loss and the stakes of the season, Rodgers’ public call‑out is rare — and a sign this dysfunction has gone beyond locker‑room whispers.
Observers noted this isn’t the first time Rodgers has targeted route-running or work ethic issues publicly. But this time feels more pointed, more direct, and perhaps more ominous: by naming a receiver and calling out teammates generally, Rodgers seems to be drawing a line — one he expects players to cross if they want to succeed together.
For a veteran QB of Rodgers’ stature, the comments carry weight. They challenge not just individual performance, but the collective culture of the offense. And as the Steelers try to turn their season around, the message is clear: no excuses — show up, do the work, and run the route.
