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 6:27 pm
Rodgers as faced Bowles 3-times while he’s been with the Bucs, twice in Tampa, once in GB (NFC Championship game).
Overall, Rodger’s line vs Bowles is, 76/118, 761 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 82.6 passer rating, and a 1-2 record.
Also, Rodgers record playing at RayJay isn’t great:
Over 5 games, 105/172, 1,164 yards, 7 TDs, 9 INTs, 72.9 passer rating, and a 2-3 record.
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
October 13th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Unless the Bucs suddenly find a pass rush somehow, Rodgers is gonna go off. I’d guess a 70% completion rate on the day…
Oh and a certain fat ped0 is apparently attending, which can only doom us even more.
But hey at least we won’t be winless when he have our first divisional game the following week. Gotta look at the bright side!
October 13th, 2026 at 6:56 pm
I believe Todd will do what Todd does come what may.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
All he has to do is coach it better.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
So will Bowles “defend” him just like he did Kirk Cousins?
October 13th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
To be fair, every game from here on out is a must win for Licht, Bowles, and company. To avoid a near riot on Dale Mabry, wins must come handily. This one score game BS regardless of the outcome will just give that regime more power to say “we’re this close…”
October 13th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Only reason Rodgers is still playing in the NFL is to try to be like Brady.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
Don’t worry the Def will focus on coverage
Instead of telling the DEs I mean LBs……
To put their hands in the dirt and rush the old none mobile QB
Rogers doesn’t have the legs he used to
October 13th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
The steelers are #10 on defense in points allowed (Bucs #17).
They are #18 in passing yards allowed (Bucs #21).
And #13 in rushing yards allowed (Bucs #2 of course)
Typical Bucs, soft zone coverage and let the team walk down the field.
But don’t let them run.
Throwing to our WRs would make sense, except we have a UDFA at QB.
Bucs O-line seems to be clicking. Same game plan as we used vs Dallas,
run Bucky, run (and hopefully Tucker too)
BUT expect a close game with that plan, Dallas was #32 vs the run. Pitt is better.
And for god’s sake Todd, get us at least 3 sacks!!
Then the Bucs will win!
October 13th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
The steelers are #10 on defense in points allowed (Bucs #17).
They are #18 in passing yards allowed (Bucs #21).
And #13 in rushing yards allowed (Bucs #2 of course)
Typical Bucs, soft zone coverage and let the team walk down the field.
But don’t let them run.
Throwing to our WRs would make sense, except we have a UDFA at QB.
Bucs O-line seems to be clicking. Same game plan as we used vs Dallas,
run Bucky, run (and hopefully Tucker too)
BUT expect a close game with that plan, Dallas was #32 vs the run. Pitt is better.
And please Todd, get us at least 3 sacks!!
Then the Bucs will win!
October 13th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
F-ing moderation #@%!
October 13th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Rodgers doesn’t exactly do great against the Bucs.
He’s 3-4 all time and that includes the majority of games being against some pretty bad Bucs teams from 2008-2014. During those seven games, here are his stats:
TDs: 13
INTs: 11
SACKED: 22 (more than 3 times/game)
COMPLETION PERCENTAGE: 63.4%
PASSER RATING: 83.6
October 13th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
you have more ads than actual stories. anymore. your site is almost impossible to read anymore
October 13th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
“Did anyone talk to Aaron Rodgers about facing Todd Bowles and how easy it is?”
He’s never beaten the Bucs when Bowles was the Defensive Coordinator.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:33 pm
Rush 7, knock him down.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Oops, I’m wrong. He beat the bad Brady Bucs 14-12 in 2022. Not exactly a huge game by him, though. Two TDs and and INT. Sacked three times.
October 13th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
GO RAYS
October 13th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
The site is built on a super old WordPress theme that is non-responsive to mobile phones. Switch to a desktop or laptop. Otherwise you’re right. Hang it up!
October 13th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
All we need is a miracle. Thursday was a mirage.
And we tried to lose it in the end. A Bowles special.
Less than zero faith in Todd or Licht.
4-12 in our last 16 games. Championship caliber.
October 13th, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Luckily for us. He’s playing in Tampa. Aaron will spend more time complaining about the grass. Than playing on it. Time for press man coverage and by god let David walker feast. You win Sunday, and win the next two division games. You’re immediately back in the conversation. One game at a time. Just put Roger’s on his rump.
October 13th, 2026 at 10:59 pm
There’s not much more to say as far as comments about the Bucs. The Bucs will need to go 8-4 to get to a game over .500 and we all know that most likely is not gonna happen. For the past 3 seasons, I was optimistic that the Bucs would win 10 or 11 games, haven’t happened
October 14th, 2026 at 2:06 am
If bowles thought love got rid of the ball fast and wouldn’t blitz against a weak o line i think we are in for the same game plan. Fryermuth will probably have 125 yds and 2 tds. Steelers win
Steelers d isn’t what it used to be but they have a pass rusher who will change the game, imagine that.
October 14th, 2026 at 8:46 am
This game is going to come down to tackling and penalties.
The Steelers have a very physical offense. Warren will break leg tackles. DK is a beast after the catch. Washington is a huge target at TE. Tackling is gonna be huge.
On offense, is going to be tough to move the ball on the ground. The Steelers are going to stacked the box and force Daniels to throw. The oline can’t have penalties and give up sacks.
I don’t love this match up on either side of the ball.
But ya never know.
October 14th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
If the Bucs get into Karen’s grill, he’ll go full on drama queen. I believe the Bucs got this. Go bucs