Todd Bowles Addresses Facing Aaron Rodgers
October 13th, 2026
The Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers come to Tampa on Sunday for a must-win game for the home team. The last time Rodgers faced a Todd Bowles defense was 14 months ago during a Steelers-Bucs joint practice in Pittsburgh.
Joe was there and snapped the photo above.
The Bucs were the better team that day, but Joe was very impressed by how Rodgers commanded a practice. Rodgers seemed to be talking non-stop to his offense in between plays and in breaks. It was a scene Joe won’t soon forget.
But when it comes to real games, Rodgers faced the Bucs last in Week 3 of the 2022 season in Tampa. The future Hall of Fame quarterback found plenty of seams in Bowles’ defense. He finished the day 27-of-35 for 255 yards, with 2 touchdown passes and 1 interception.
Green Bay beat the Bucs 14-12. Rodgers was sacked once, by former Bucs DT Logan Hall.
Yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bowles addessed the challenge of facing Rodgers.
“Anytime you play somebody that’s that accurate and has a football IQ of one of the best ever, and plays like he plays — he has been great for a long time and he is still playing great — and he can beat you mentally,” Bowles said.
“He can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his brain and do a lot of things. You add that to a team that was already talented and got some tough players on both sides of the ball. It’s gonna be a tough matchup.”
It certainly will be a tough matchup. Rodgers has thrown nine TD passes in his last three games, though his completion percentage has dipped to 59.8 percent. That’s often a sign a 42-year-old quarterback’s game is fading.
However, Bowles defenses are known for serving up easy completions. That didn’t happen Thursday in Dallas, but it must continue for the Bucs to have a shot on Sunday.
October 13th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
His main weakness at this point of his career is his lack of mobility. Which means, the best way to beat him is to get a PASS RUSH. Will Bowles be willing to change his scheme to fit the moment?
October 13th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Bain finally needs to show up. Secondary must play tight coverages and LBs have to stop the run. Hope the Bucs are watching the film on what Rodger’s did to the Colts last weekend. It could get ugly if the D line cant get pressure on him.
October 13th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
I agree with Ballwin. Forget all the “tricks”, you aren’t going to show a 42 year old QB any look he hasn’t seen before. Rush 4 or 5, play man and double his best 2 receivers. Count on the rush to force mistakes.
October 13th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Yall at like we haven’t beat Rodgers plenty off time already………
October 13th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
3 man line and everyone else in coverage.
October 13th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
For just ONE game I’d like to lose the 10 yard cushion, come what may
October 13th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Did anyone talk to Aaron Rodgers about facing Todd Bowles and how easy it is?
October 13th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Send Walker after him more often than last week.
He has a knack for It.
October 13th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
The same Aaron Rodgers who personally asked Bowles at joint practices in 2025 for some of Bowles more complex looks to get some good work getting his pre-snap reads tightened up
October 13th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Scoop, Chris Braswell just got released.
October 13th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Steelers 0-2 on the road this year 13ppg average